I've built and flown a couple of these. I'm still flying one that I built back in 2001. They are great airplanes but require a specific skill set when flying. To answer your question about the struts, yes! They must be made to be functional and not just for looks. Consider using after market airfoiled metal struts that will actually carry a load. We modified ours using 1/8th inch music wire as the load bearing mechanism, and the wood was just for appearance. Also, I'm a big fan of horsepower, but the 55 is too much for this plane. We started out flying them with Moki 1.8s changed them out for OS 160 fx and now I'm flying it with a CRRC 40. Still too much but at the time I got that engine I hadn't been initiated to the Syssa 30. That would be the perfect match in my opinion. On the engine selection topic, the recommended engine size in the instructions is way off. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to fly if it's underpowered, (120 size engine).