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Very interesting alternative explanation Paul, actually more dual than alternative.

But i still think that we are in front of a third kind of rudder simply because i was not able to find any flattened rudder with the transparent cap or with the late external navigation light. Indeed i agree that especially the two "snake" ones look damaged but they are the two only "snake" one i was able to find with enough good quality.

If your explanation is the correct one, and it could be, then you can notice than they indeed dont have the transparent cap nor any late external navigation light at the end cap which would mean that they dont have any navigation light on the rudder (even if i agree that the last two could be discuted since "white 17+S" shots are of poor quality and the end cap from "B3+CL" is missing) and that i was not lucky enough to find one of those with no light but non flattened which is possible...

Then remain the question was there any navigation light on the wooden experimental rudder?
Could someone find a non flattened rudder with the "snake" pattern?

( "White4" looks to be non flattened but with the late external nav light which would mean that the stenciled "snake" pattern could have been painted over non wooden rudder > but the photo i not of good quality enough to be sure)