Why does the Boeing 707 have a spike on the top of the tail?
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Balance. Same with its wings. If you’ve seen the 747 Jumbo Revolution Documentary :)
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I think it has something to do with the desent
It is for birds. :)
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Can you elaborate? I only got to see half of the documentary. :)
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Sorry, what I meant to say was, there was too much flutter on the wings, so they added those tips to reduce drag and keep the wings on balanced with the wind :)
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Not sure how the tail “spike” is relevant to the 747’s wing “spikes” because there are no wing “spikes” on the 707 as far as I know.
It’s a radio atenna for long distance transAtlantic ops
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Yup. HF antenna.
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/2887207/15
But a few posts down, someone shares my opinion that it is a bird spear.
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Ah that’s what it’s called! I remember getting burned for not putting the HF part in while talking with another avgeek ( :/ ).
Thx for HF reminder
If I can recall, Air Force One (VC-25) has one on its tail. As well as the ones on the wings.
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It is a weight to prevent Tail Flutter. Just like pre -400 Boeing 747 wing weights to also prevent Flutter.
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Air to air refueling???
On a serious note, I would say for the radio usage as @Boeing707 mentioned. Pain in the ass HF usage :|
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Liked the idea of ATAR receiver…was thinking more of a very long pitot tube…
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Ahhh such a beuatiful plane!
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I pick first officer clothing rack
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You have a state of the art aircraft with CPDLC, you don’t need that stuff. But some people still do things the old fashioned way. XD
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Even with cpdlc onboard it is mandatory to make HF contact :|, but that’s only one call no need for position reports etc.
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I know it is a HF antenna but If was not a avgeek I would think it is for harvesting lightning for electrical use
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Old days of aviation captain…
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I thought it was for handling the Lightning