Airbus released this image today of the first A350 vertical tail. It is 10 meters tall and is the first part of the A350 MSN1 to be painted. The device is made from composites in Stade near Hamburg. The A350 tail will connect to the fuselage in a different way than other tails, Airbus is using a methods that are lighter and stronger.
We had a chance to see the tail assembly in Stade and it is a process that is highly automated. At the bottom of the tail, the assembly connection piece is carved out of solid titanium. This process is remarkable to watch because it is exceptionally exacting.
