Strut tapes on French aircraft

[lone modeller]

 I have recently been taking a very close look at the Farman Longhorn as I steadily test my patience while I try to rig it. One thing struck me was the small strips of tape on the struts and booms. What were they for? I notice that most French aircraft of the WW1 period had them, whereas other nation's machines did not. Apart from driving later generations of modellers mad trying to reproduce them, what purpose did they serve? I am sure that they were not ornamentation as the time and cost of putting them on must have been considerable. Does anyone know why they were put on? Can anyone shed any light on this question?

[WarrenD]

LM,
     I always assumed they were for reinforcement of the strut as I cannot see that they would serve any other purpose. You're right, other a/c from other nations did not use them. Why?  I've no idea.

Warren

[Rob Hart]

Other countries wrapped the entire strut.

[coyotemagic]

Those tapes were meant to hold the strut together in the event of a bullet strike.  They prevented the subsequent split from spreading up the length of the strut and possibly coming apart all together.
Cheers,
Bud

[lone modeller]

Those tapes were meant to hold the strut together in the event of a bullet strike.  They prevented the subsequent split from spreading up the length of the strut and possibly coming apart all together.
Cheers,
Bud

I had thought of this possibility but was not certain whether this would work on reality. I know of instances where struts were damaged destroyed on biplanes but the pilot managed to get back but this seems to be the logical answer with Rob's answer that other countries wrapped the whole strut.

Many thanks for the replies - much appreciated.

[petrov27]

maybe a stupid question, but were these wood struts one solid piece of wood? Or were they two halves joined over a metal core? Or laminated like a prop?