Vertical Stabilizer

The vertical stabilizer is one of the most easily recognizable pieces in the lower debris field. The structure is largely intact, though large portions of the skin have been cut out by souvenir hunters. Major points of interest include the faint traces remaining of the serial number. Very interestingly, there is evidence that the serial number was originally painted in a larger format on the tail, but was then painted over with silver paint, and repainted in the smaller, more standard size.

Nearby lies a small section of the curved fairing between the fuselage and vertical stabilizer.

Also present at the crash site is the metal leading edge of the rudder. The fabric covered part of the rudder was damaged in the crash, and since then, all of the underlying structure has been removed.

Click on the images below for more information and larger versions.

The vertical stabilizer and rear fuselage in 2008. The tail bears the red “X” that was applied to many of the largest parts to mark the site as a known wreck.

The right side of the vertical stabilizer- the serial number is partly visible- the 4 is marked by the triangular hole, and traces of the 8 and 5 are visible in the flaked-off parts of the red X. the -746 would have continued in the area where the rectangular hole in the skin is now.

The left side of the vertical stabilizer in 2012. It appears that the serial number was originally painted in approximately 20″ high letters, which were overpainted in silver and repainted in the more standard 12″ numbers. It is unclear when this repaint happened, though a photo of 746 in Saudi Arabia in 1950 with the smaller numbers suggests it was done sometime before then.

This is an edited version of the previous image, showing what remains of the serial numbers. The older 20″ numbers are outlined in green, and the newer 12″ numbers in blue.

Another view of the left side of the stabilizer. Note the mount for the white formation light (the teardrop-shaped detail in the upper right).

Close-up of the remaining serial numbers- the 8, 5, and 7 are barely discernible.

The remaining part of the stabilizer fairing- note the remains of the rubber de-icing boot. Aug. 2008

The remains of the “6” from the serial number are visible on the right side of the fairing.

The right side of the tail fairing in Nov. 2012

All that remains of the rudder is the metal leading edge. The left side has some substantial damage visible, but overall, the part is in good condition. Aug. 2008