Tailwise

No serrature of abdominal outline, but bony scales present or dermo-hæmal processes under true scales as figured above, overlapping and having short end pointing tailwise from pectoral to anal fin.

If the Soviet missile were toppled, would it still go off if it hit sidewise or tailwise?

It was at this point the plane gave its lurch and slid tailwise down into the water until its rear fuselage struck the sandy sea bed.