Use of structural tube vs fairing

[Jestersage]

So based on 1.4.2, is structural tube good replacement for fairing (for some stuff, of course), namely due to the weight? Or is it still tube-shaped parachutes?

[GrouchyDevotee]

I've used the structural tube as a lightweight body segment for aircraft builds, it is possible to mount some things inside them to keep them out of the air-stream.... I have no idea how you might use it as a fairing replacement.

I don't see the relation between a structural segment and a parachute.

[blakemw]

Structural tube seems to have drag issues. So sadly, if you want to use structural tube you should put it in a fairing or it'll cause massive amounts of drag.

 

edit: To elaborate. Sometimes the game won't recognize the ends of structural tube as being connected, and so treats it as a draggy end (this is probably when the game, for reasons known only to itself, decides to connect the tube using its inner node rather than outer node). So in some cases merely using structural tube can result in excessive drag. But you might be okay using them as pure structural components.

However AFAICT structural tube NEVER shields its content from drag so they are no kind of substitute for a fairing or cargo/service bay. If you're using the inner nodes of the tube and care at all about drag, you'll be needing to put the whole thing inside a fairing.

Edited March 29, 2018 by blakemw

[bewing]

It is correct that no parts except fairings and bays do aero shielding. If you want aero shielding you have no other choice but to use those. That's the entire point of what those parts are for.

And yes, you need to be careful when attaching tubes, to make sure you connect to the right node.

[Jestersage]

I am trying to make a Soyuz clone, and I noticed many people use fairing (even those that stated MH) instead of Structural tube for the lower half. I am not sure how important it is to use fairing for the renetry capsule if one choose to forgo a reaction wheel.

[bewing]

It's just a matter of taste.