If uncascaded, Archie's tail would have functioned as a low-aspect ratio
lifting device. Consequently, it would have been capable of a large range
of lifing forces. I'm not sure about Archie's retricial movement, but if
the tail was capable of cascading, it would have greatly impacted the
lift/drag ratio, lowering maximum lift while greatly lowering maximum
drag -- but that isn't pertinent to our present discussion.
Could you expand on that? What is meant by 'cascading'? Feather arrangement?