Zero tailplane

[rogerwilko]

Any particular reason for the Zero tailplane being so far forward on fuselage?

 

[GregP]

Very probably so the rudder isn't blanked out in a spin, but that's a guess on my part.

Not sure I've ever seen an explanation in print.

 

[Shinpachi]

A Zero researcher says "As the angle of attack increases, directional stability reduces because the vertical stabilizer/rudder is hidden by the horizontal stabilizer(tailplane) and it will easily cause spin as a result. In order to avoid this, position of each stabilizer must be shifted back and forth slightly.

Image: Before and After of the improvement

Original Site

 

[bobbysocks]

interesting...thanks shinpachi

 

[vikingBerserker]

I agree, thanks for that info my friend!

 

[Shinpachi]

You are welcome, bobby and David!

As Greg guessed, this seems have been a common knowledge among monoplane designers at that time.