Skyraider - what are the angled lines on the tail for?

Merlin_FAC · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:16 pm

Hi all,

I've seen angled lines painted on the tail of various aircraft... but don't know what the purpose for them are. Can anyone shed some light on it?

Also... looking for a good, accurate 3-view of an AD-5 (the "Fat Face" Skyraider)... please let me know if you have one.

Thanks,
Mike

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:30 pm

I cannot be sure for the Skyraider, but: larger aircraft often trim the elevator or pitch angle by adjusting the angle of the horizontal stabilizer with jackscrews. There are lines painted at the leading or trailing edge so that the position may be deduced when the aircraft is on the ground. Usually there are a couple up and down, and one at the neutral position.

Robbie

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:30 am

If they were painted on the leading edge of the vertical fin, it was to aid the LSO for line-up on approach to the carrier-If they are on the fuselage, then as Robbie states they are external visual indicators of horizontal stab movement as it moves up and down via the ACME screw. Stop laughing, didn't EVERYTHING the Coyote ordered from ACME work as advertised? It's application was just wrong- :shock:

Merlin_FAC · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:30 pm

I am talking about the ones on the front of the fin, I'm familiar with the elevator trim markings. The LSO thing makes sense... long ago I learned that a good way to establish a good, steady approach angle to land an R/C plane is to align the horizontal tail behind the wing on final approach, and keep it there. This would be about the same thing really. I'm just surprised the LSO could see the lines well enough, but then I've never been an LSO so I can't speak from experience!

Thanks... I learned something new today (and now also know why they don't do that on Air Force planes!)

-Mike

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:09 pm

Ever try to land a KC-10A on a CVN? Tight fit I'd imagine...

Of course, every rule... The late CW4 Mike Novosel(MOH), who was a B-24 pilot and B-29 commander in WWII, then in later years a "Dustoff" pilot in Viet Nam told in his book "Dustoff- The Story of an Army Aviator" about flying a B-29 near the USS Bon Homme Richard, and receiving nearby flak from the ship. Being the war was over at that time, he was a little irked, so he did the only thing he could think of- put the B-29 into the pattern, banked hard around, dropped his gear and flaps, and approached as if to put it down and catch the number 3 wire! The LSO apparently almost had a heart attack frantically waving him off... He said he would have bounced the wheels off the carrier deck had it not been for the island...

Think I'll go over to that book thread, and add that book- I forgot how great it is...

Robbie

hang the expense · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:42 pm

Robbie Roberts wrote:

Ever try to land a KC-10A on a CVN? Tight fit I'd imagine...

Of course, every rule... The late CW4 Mike Novosel(MOH), who was a B-24 pilot and B-29 commander in WWII, then in later years a "Dustoff" pilot in Viet Nam told in his book "Dustoff- The Story of an Army Aviator" about flying a B-29 near the USS Bon Homme Richard, and receiving nearby flak from the ship. Being the war was over at that time, he was a little irked, so he did the only thing he could think of- put the B-29 into the pattern, banked hard around, dropped his gear and flaps, and approached as if to put it down and catch the number 3 wire! The LSO apparently almost had a heart attack frantically waving him off... He said he would have bounced the wheels off the carrier deck had it not been for the island...

Think I'll go over to that book thread, and add that book- I forgot how great it is...
The "Chief" was our senior Tac at Rucker back in the day.The man was an incredible no nonsense full blown American Patriot.Just Wow.
Robbie

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:39 am

hang the expense wrote:

The "Chief" was our senior Tac at Rucker back in the day.The man was an incredible no nonsense full blown American Patriot.Just Wow.

Took me a second to find your comment- it was locked within the quote... But I envy you the opportunity to get to know him- I was impressed by what he'd written. I've read that book 2 or three times at this point, and it is still a favorite on my bookshelf... I would have enjoyed meeting him.

Robbie

Jack Frost · **Posted:** Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:12 pm

Robbie Roberts wrote:

Ever try to land a KC-10A on a CVN? Tight fit I'd imagine...
Being the war was over at that time, he was a little irked, so he did the only thing he could think of- put the B-29 into the pattern, banked hard around, dropped his gear and flaps, and approached as if to put it down and catch the number 3 wire! The LSO apparently almost had a heart attack frantically waving him off... He said he would have bounced the wheels off the carrier deck had it not been for the island...

I heard the same general story from an ex B-36 Flight Engineer. In his story (that was his name too; C.B Storey) the B-36 had 3 engines feathered due to having defective cooling fans installed. It happened during the time the Navy and Air Force were squabbling over carriers vs. bombers and C.B said a reception committee was waiting for them after landing at Yakota. The Generals could hardly keep from smiling and the Admirals were steaming. He said the Aircraft Commander was grounded for 2 years afterward.

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Skyraider - what are the angled lines on the tail for?

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