A combination of simplified CFD analysis and wind-tunnel tests were used to redesign the pitch control surfaces of a transonic missile in order to meet particularly challenging pitch control requirements.  Limited resources precluded using fully "qualified" and calibrated CFD models and wind tunnel tests.  Despite these limitations, the redesign was successful.  Close cooperation between CFD practitioner, wind-tunnel test engineer and aerodynamic designer allowed insights into complex flow physics to be shared and a satisfactory design solution to be found at low cost.  It is concluded that the "safety net" of a later detailed wind-tunnel test can and should be used to determine the level of detail required from analysis and tests at the design stage.  Sacrificing into the flow physics does not appear to suffer much from "coarse" CFD or wind-tunnel testing.  This experience has rather shown that the greater number of solutions that can be investigated results in improved insight, and a better design.