Chaps,
I hope that this bit will be of help to anyone building from plans rather than a kit, as you may have to re-draw some of the bits. It is not intended to push any particular idea or anything, but it might help to keep lead out of the front of these old things. All the Waco's had similar structures so this idea is generic,ie, it suits all of them. I build the fuselage space frame from 1/4 sq. balsa, following the manufacturers drawing where possible and use 1/8 ply as gussets at the U/C attachment points and C/S strut points. The engine mounting plate is two laminations of 1/8 ply, one bit square to fit in the front of the frame, one bit round to match the shape of the foward fuselage. all other fuselage formers are 1/8" balsa, slotted for 1/16 x 1/4 spruce stringers on edge as required. The U/C legs are simply two bits of ally tube, one sliding inside the other with a fairly light spring to afford the shock loadings. the controlling struts are bolted to the axle and the outer leg and all are hinged to brackets bolted to those ply gussets. One cannot build such a beautiful lady and not take a deal of care over her legs. Tail outlines are 4 x 1/16 x1/4 strips laminated around an MDF form, wingtips too. all tail ribs 1/16 balsa cap stripped for stiffness. Wing spars 1/4 sq spruce, webbed both sides with 1/16 balsa. Pine hard points at strut/rigging hardpoints. I use 24# steel fittings wrapped about the spars and drilled for 1/8 nylon bolts to bolt the wing struts and rigging wires. These fittings are bolted through those spar hardpoints to locate them. Wings slide on to 1/8 steel rods fitted to the upper C/S and lower fuselage, all held in place with those rigging wires which are 1/16 welding rod suitably formed and carry all the flight loads. The wing upper C/S is of similar build, sheeted with 1/16 balsa and lithoplate for the tanks. Wing L/E is simply wrapped with 1/16 sheet, like a Taurus wing. Hope the pics give a better idea.
More detail if anyone cares.
Evan.