Is this damage?

[Carnethy]

Apologies if this is the incorrect forum for my tech question. It regards a photo of a Flyglobespan 767 (G-CDPT) seen on the Flickr website.
When zoomed into the original size, there is what looks like damage to the fuselage just under the horizontal stabiliser. It's the fact it seems uneven and inconsistent that makes me think it might be some sort of damage, eg collision with a ground unit.
Probably completely normal but just curious if anyone knows what it is? Thanks.

Flickr Photo Download: G-CDPT

[eightyknots]

It's built that way so the horizontal stabilisers can move.

"There's a big dent in the back of your plane, mate."

[Eff Oh]

No it's not damage. It is most likely dirt. They crew would not be flying it, and no engineer would have signed it off had it been damaged.

[Bullethead]

G'day Carnethy,

It's just dirt around the seal between the sliding part of the stabiliser and the tailcone of the aircraft.

There is a fairly large flat plate which moves with the horizontal stabiliser and covers the opening in the tailcone where the mechanism for moving the tailplane is located. You will also notice a large flat area on the actual tailcone itself.

Have a look at this pic and I think you'll see it more clearly. I just noticed that the aeroplane is taking off with the APU running, the intake on the upper RHS of the tailcone is open.

Photos: Boeing 767-338/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Regards,
BH.