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Why The Scorpion Tail On The Tu154?  
User currently offlineSmithAir747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 1511 posts, RR: 39
Posted (6 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 2126 times:

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
 
User currently offlineSovietjet From Bulgaria, joined Mar 2003, 2183 posts, RR: 14
Reply 1, posted (6 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 2053 times:		 Support Airliners.net - become a First Class Member!

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).

User currently offlineBully707 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 2, posted (6 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 2016 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

User currently offlineJwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10208 posts, RR: 25
Reply 3, posted (6 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1984 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
User currently offlineSovietjet From Bulgaria, joined Mar 2003, 2183 posts, RR: 14
Reply 4, posted (6 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1912 times:		 Support Airliners.net - become a First Class Member!

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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User currently offlineScbriml From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 10392 posts, RR: 51
Reply 5, posted (6 years 9 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1786 times:		 Support Airliners.net - become a First Class Member!

Why? Because it just looks so cool!

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Photo © Steve Brimley




So long Baroque, you'll be missed.
User currently offlineHAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 29818 posts, RR: 61
Reply 6, posted (6 years 9 months 1 week 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 1703 times:

Quoting Sovietjet (Reply 4):
"balkany"

Whats this story.
regds
MEL


Think of the brighter side!
User currently offlineSovietjet From Bulgaria, joined Mar 2003, 2183 posts, RR: 14
Reply 7, posted (6 years 9 months 1 week 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 1643 times:		 Support Airliners.net - become a First Class Member!

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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Notice how it's "chopped off" in the back
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