I don't have any doubts about the strength of the original which was built of welded steel tubing. But mine's just made of bamboo. So I need to be a bit realistic and practical here and possibly do some interior ply doubling or other bracing (which would be invisible). At this point the only thing connecting the firewall to the frame would be four 3mm points of bamboo. You're probably right, though, about the stiffening effect of the ply cheeks.

In general though, I think I'll continue with the "build as per the original" concept and then modify if and when it seems prudent. I'd just rather take this approach vs. starting off with a "model structure" and trying to modify it in the direction of scale. And, Les, I think you're right on about the UC. The whole reason for music wire struts is because modelers were trying to do without a key feature of the full-scale, i.e. functional suspension. As such wires (and the fuse) had to withstand the full force of the landing. I'm planning to take something like the "bolt on" route you did.