ORIGINAL: KitBuilder
ORIGINAL: SunDevilPilot
The vertical struts are called ''Jury Struts''. Their purpose is to prevent the main struts from bending or folding in the middle under load (Negative G's). They are easy to add and I wouldn't think of flying a larger model without them. Some of the smaller planes omit the jury struts due to the strength of the main strut and their relatively short length.
Phil
SunDevil...
Did you solder the brass couplings to what looks like aluminum or is it just crimped tightly? Is there anything inside the faired aluminum struts to increase stiffness?
Mike
The struts are hollow aluminum, nothing inside. They came out plenty strong for the 1/5th Scale model and I plan on using the same material for my 1/4 Cub. The brass couplers for the jury struts were made in such a way when the bolt passing through them is tightened the brass tightens around the strut. I also JB Welded them on to make sure they didn't move.
The ends of the main struts consist of flat aluminum I cut to fit within the airfoiled struts. These pieces were roughed up and "barbed" along the edges in direct contact with the struts interior to prevent them from pulling out. They were ultimately JB Welded into the struts. Attached is the attachment point for the strut where it meets the fuselage, prior to it being JB Welded. Not a very scale attachment but they work great.
If you look really close at the seam of the strut you can see the aluminum plate inside. This plate is "V" shaped end extends down each strut past the joint several inches.
SunDevilPilot