BV put me on to those books. Astonishing stories.
The tanks are a mini build all on their own. As you said the geometry of the fins is a bit funky and care is required to get them lined up with flight direction.
With the tanks fitted to the model, the fins are actually in the space between the wing and the stab, so they are 'kind of' protected in there. The pitot probe on the other hand!! I’ve had a few Ahhhh $%!T moments with that item.
I have never flown mine without tanks.. Apparently they go pretty good. 
Like what you have done on the gear doors.