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"Tall Tail" A330-200s
As many may not realize, all the early delivery A330-200s had a a taller vertical stabilizer than later produced versions. How many of these are still in service and how many were converted to the smaller fin?
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
From a bit of research, the tall fins were phased out of production in 2004-ish.
I'm not sure there ever was a conversion process from what I could find. I'd imagine the benefit would be negligible in most cases.
Air France, Air Transat, and Azul all seem to have the original tail still.
I'm not sure there ever was a conversion process from what I could find. I'd imagine the benefit would be negligible in most cases.
Air France, Air Transat, and Azul all seem to have the original tail still.
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
TheZ wrote:Wow, learn something new every day!
Additionally, the A340-500/600 used the taller A330-200 tail from what I understand.
EDIT: It may be the other way round, the A345/6 used the newer smaller A330 tail.
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- 747classic
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Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
The new A332 tail was introduced on L/N 555, an EVA Air A332, B-16303.
A332s produced after L/N 555 came with the new tail, with the exceptions of F-GSEU, F-GZCM, F-GZCN, F-GCZO, and the ill-fated F-GZCP.
See thread "A330 Various Tail Heights" : viewtopic.php?t=766231
A332s produced after L/N 555 came with the new tail, with the exceptions of F-GSEU, F-GZCM, F-GZCN, F-GCZO, and the ill-fated F-GZCP.
See thread "A330 Various Tail Heights" : viewtopic.php?t=766231
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
I don't think any were converted. Regarding the fin base fairing, the other thread got that one a bit wrong. The A332 (l/n 182 IINM, introduced the wider, smoother-bulged fin base fairing for the larger actuator, and it then became standard on the 333, 342 (the very last one) and 343 thereafter, as well as all the 345/346.
The 346 (l/n 360) then introduced the medium fin with the longer-chord rudder. Interestingly, there's a little notch on the bottom of it so that a hard-over rudder doesn't hit a full-up elevator. This is because the horizontal stab got a root extension for more authority, which in turn meant more chord, and a conflict with the rudder.
At some point they figured that they could use the same fin on the 332, so that one switched around at l/n 555, with the aforementioned exceptions. The 332 has the smaller horizontal stabs, so they filled in the notch at the base.
By my count, that gives 5 different 330/340 fin setups, in chronological order:
Early 333/342/343 fin with small angular fairing (same shape as A300/310 fin)
Early 332 tall fin (height extension to existing) with big fairing (l/n 182)
Late 333/342/343 fin with larger fairing (l/n 182+)
A345/345 fin (medium height, longer chord, notch, big fairing)
Late 332 fin (345/346 fin without the rudder notch)
The 346 (l/n 360) then introduced the medium fin with the longer-chord rudder. Interestingly, there's a little notch on the bottom of it so that a hard-over rudder doesn't hit a full-up elevator. This is because the horizontal stab got a root extension for more authority, which in turn meant more chord, and a conflict with the rudder.
At some point they figured that they could use the same fin on the 332, so that one switched around at l/n 555, with the aforementioned exceptions. The 332 has the smaller horizontal stabs, so they filled in the notch at the base.
By my count, that gives 5 different 330/340 fin setups, in chronological order:
Early 333/342/343 fin with small angular fairing (same shape as A300/310 fin)
Early 332 tall fin (height extension to existing) with big fairing (l/n 182)
Late 333/342/343 fin with larger fairing (l/n 182+)
A345/345 fin (medium height, longer chord, notch, big fairing)
Late 332 fin (345/346 fin without the rudder notch)
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
It would be interesting to see some side by side photos of the different tail heights. Is it even noticeable in reality or is it just a technical specification that can't really be seen?
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
aeropix wrote:It would be interesting to see some side by side photos of the different tail heights. Is it even noticeable in reality or is it just a technical specification that can't really be seen?
I can definitely see it. From the other thread, these two pictures illustrate it well:
The top chord and the overall shape is pretty clearly different.
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
Thanks for all the comments. This sort of date is very helpful for historical research, where so little is now written books regarding later airframe types.
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- skipness1E
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Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
How did I not know this? Thanks for posting....
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
skipness1E wrote:How did I not know this? Thanks for posting....
For the simple reason, we all do not know everything. I have been around airplanes my entire 60+ years and have studied then closely for the same time period. To this day, I still find out little things that were hiding from me. For example, I never knew the MD-90 had trim tabs on the engine pylon trailing edges and only realized it after DL retired all their MD-90s!
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
crownvic wrote:skipness1E wrote:How did I not know this? Thanks for posting....
For the simple reason, we all do not know everything. I have been around airplanes my entire 60+ years and have studied then closely for the same time period. To this day, I still find out little things that were hiding from me. For example, I never knew the MD-90 had trim tabs on the engine pylon trailing edges and only realized it after DL retired all their MD-90s!
They’re not trim tabs
They only activate when close to a stall deflecting to help lower the nose
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
LH707330 wrote:By my count, that gives 5 different 330/340 fin setups, in chronological order:
Early 333/342/343 fin with small angular fairing (same shape as A300/310 fin)
Early 332 tall fin (height extension to existing) with big fairing (l/n 182)
Late 333/342/343 fin with larger fairing (l/n 182+)
A345/345 fin (medium height, longer chord, notch, big fairing)
Late 332 fin (345/346 fin without the rudder notch)
Does AB keep spares for all setups or if an operator of an early 333 busts a tailfin, their best bet would be to try and source one from the boneyard?
Re: "Tall Tail" A330-200s
889091 wrote:LH707330 wrote:By my count, that gives 5 different 330/340 fin setups, in chronological order:
Early 333/342/343 fin with small angular fairing (same shape as A300/310 fin)
Early 332 tall fin (height extension to existing) with big fairing (l/n 182)
Late 333/342/343 fin with larger fairing (l/n 182+)
A345/345 fin (medium height, longer chord, notch, big fairing)
Late 332 fin (345/346 fin without the rudder notch)
Does AB keep spares for all setups or if an operator of an early 333 busts a tailfin, their best bet would be to try and source one from the boneyard?
I've got one in my garage, $5k OBO
I suspect Airbus keeps spares around as required by whatever contract, not sure how often those break and need replacing. I imagine their support has figured it out somehow.
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