The ship's starboard rudder was severely damaged from a round that exploded near the fantail. He carries four Patent Sails and was winded by a five blade fantail. It was formerly considered conspecific with the Malaysian pied fantail. Studies on rufous fantail social behaviour are sparse. It has four common sails and a fantail. The cap was remolded, a new fantail and light wooden sails were added. It also mounted 2 seaplanes on its fantail instead of the mid ship area. The range of the rufous fantail is very extensive. Additions to the fantail include a vast leather settee, patio furniture and bullet-proof glass. The aircraft would have been floatplanes launched from catapults on the ship's fantail. Then, a torpedo in her fantail put "Laffey" out of action. Some bird species are endemic to Malaita, such as the Malaita fantail. Their paired fins are of the Fantail or Ryukin type. The ship had been fitted with a catapult over her fantail. Minesweeping gear on the fantail was replaced by four depth-charge launchers and 36 depth charges.