I've been having problems with those weak CA hinges on the GP Cub J-3 ARF. While I'll repair them again, I was wondering if those struts are just for show, or are a really necessary part of the structure. It doesn't seem like it to me, but I wanted to check with you all just in case.

Could I get by with not using them? I don't want to have to worry about babying the plane without them, but sometimes the strut fails and ends my day early.

Has only flown the plane without the struts?

Thanks much.