so what is this for?

[olds442]

[EskimoJoe]

That is your aileron, which is what rolls your aircraft.

Your complete lack of information or real question makes me want
to throw a book at you 

[Blagard]

Its the aileron balance tab (port wing only). Not to be confused with the trim tab further out on the aileron.

I believe the purpose is similar to a trim tab except it is probably connected to the control stick so that the force to move the stick is reduced. A bit like power assisted steering I suppose! So unlike the trim tab which you usually move to a fixed position, the balance tab is on the move with the stick and aileron.

(Throws book at EskimoJoe)

[Lusche]

Seems like some rain is coming soon. Books are flying low today.

[kvuo75]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servo_tab

[Blagard]

The tab on the Corsair is actually called a balance tab. On some aircraft a similar effect is generated by having part of the control surface forward of the hinge line.

I suspect servo tabs, which do the same thing, are probably not physically connected to the "stick". i.e. driven by electric motors or hydraulics.

See Page 21 of the book in the link below. (Not the one I threw at EskimoJoe )
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tC22hsLZs9IC&pg=PA21&dq=corsair+aileron+balance+tab&hl=en&ei=WDjNTd-1I4mp8APOi83iDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

[icepac]

Book thrown by joe completes high arc, is caught by the wind, and lands on his head.

[olds442]

That is your aileron, which is what rolls your aircraft.

Your complete lack of information or real question makes me want
to throw a book at you  

sigh read below

The tab on the Corsair is actually called a balance tab. On some aircraft a similar effect is generated by having part of the control surface forward of the hinge line.

I suspect servo tabs, which do the same thing, are probably not physically connected to the "stick". i.e. driven by electric motors or hydraulics.

See Page 21 of the book in the link below. (Not the one I threw at EskimoJoe )
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tC22hsLZs9IC&pg=PA21&dq=corsair+aileron+balance+tab&hl=en&ei=WDjNTd-1I4mp8APOi83iDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

as you can see i was not talking about the aileron i was talking about the balance tab...

[Puma44]

Cut him some slack, gents.  Everyone had to learn it from the beginning.  He's asking an honest question, I'm sure, because we have so many expert fighter pilots in here. Hopefully he gets an honest answer without getting speared for asking a question. 

The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. 

[M0nkey_Man]

hit the deck, books incoming

[MachFly]

Blagard is correct.


I'd like to add that the servo tab is usually connected to the stick, but it is found on the elevators and works as trim as well (at least that's the most common use for it).

[fuzeman]

It's been said a picture is worth a thousand words but when you ask a question it is advisable to be more specific to get a specific response to your question.
Yes I know my input has nothing to do with the question and is very late on this information highway but cogitate this point next time you have a question.

Probably should edit this down to 'No Comment' but my backspace key took the day off.