Why The Scorpion Tail On The Tu154? — Tech Ops Forum

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Why The Scorpion Tail On The Tu154?

SmithAir747 From United States, joined Jan 2004, 1390 posts, RR: 31
Posted (4 years 6 months 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1148 times:

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I have seen (and photographed) the Tu154M at LHR several times (Pulkovo flies it there).

I've always wondered why the Tu154's tail has the sharp, pointy "scorpion sting" on its tail (the thing that points forward from the tail).

Anyone know why?

SmithAir747

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... (Psalm 139:14)

7 replies: All unread, jump to last

Sovietjet From Bulgaria, joined Mar 2003, 1875 posts, RR: 17
Reply 1, posted (4 years 6 months 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1075 times:

On the Tu-134 that houses a radio so I'm 99% sure that's the case here. Same with the B707(although it's much sharper).

Bully707 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 2, posted (4 years 6 months 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 1038 times:

Quoting Sovietjet (Reply 1):
Same with the B707(although it's much sharper).

Yes...that would be the HF antenna!!!
On Some 707 it can also be found on the wingtip....!!!

Bully

Jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10017 posts, RR: 29
Reply 3, posted (4 years 6 months 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 1006 times:

Another reason is to house the actuators for the stab (similar to the DC-9 series).
And in military service (what both the 134 and 154 were designed for) ECM equipment and possibly other countermeasures can be easily placed in a pod like that, easier than having to dig inside the fuselage for space to string wires for antennas.

I wish I were flying

Sovietjet From Bulgaria, joined Mar 2003, 1875 posts, RR: 17
Reply 4, posted (4 years 6 months 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 934 times:

The Tu-134 "balkany" airborne command post has the special gear at the end of the fuselage. Other special versions do include fairings of sorts on the fuselage but they dont have anything but the radio antenna in the "scorpion sting".

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Scbriml From United Kingdom (England), joined Jul 2003, 8894 posts, RR: 50
Reply 5, posted (4 years 6 months 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 808 times:

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Why? Because it just looks so cool!

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HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 27734 posts, RR: 60
Reply 6, posted (4 years 6 months 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 725 times:

Quoting Sovietjet (Reply 4):
"balkany"

Whats this story.
regds
MEL

Think of the brighter side!

Sovietjet From Bulgaria, joined Mar 2003, 1875 posts, RR: 17
Reply 7, posted (4 years 6 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 665 times:

The Tu-134 "balkany" is a tactical airborne command post the name coming from the Balkany secure HF communications suite that it is fitted with. The 'sting" in the back is identical to the "scorpion tail" on the top of the fin. Also features an extra 4 blade aerials(one on top of fuselage, top of fin, two under rear fuselage). About 40 glass-nosed Tu-134As were converted to Balkany standard and they seat between 26-31 people in VIP configuration. Eventually after the collapse of the USSR some of the Balkanys became obsolete and were reconverted back to passenger configuration just like this one.

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