How do I strut up a ton of panels like this?

[Little Katie]

Okay so I'm trying to make my paddle boat have a working paddle. I have to make it really big because of the motor rotary thing and I'm trying to test out whether the paddle will turn. I try putting different braces on and I'm wondering what can I do to keep it from cracking. Also I want to see if the jet engine will blow the paddle but I don't know why it doesn't fire. What am I missing from the jet engine to make it blast a puff of air? Sorry if my questions sound so beginner. If there was something that explained what parts require to function that would be really helpful, but so far I've just had to put in tons of hours on every little thing so there are still a lot of gaps in what I know.

Edited February 15, 2015 by Little Katie

[Kryxal]

I can at least tell you why the jet isn't going ... no air intake, you need atmosphere not oxidizer.

[zekes]

Run Cross- struts from one row to the other, to create a braced structure.

Like these struts - if they run across they strengthen the one next to it, and the next, and the next, etc. As long as every row has a cross attach to the row next to it it will hold together. ALso adding more wheels in the center might help.

Also yes the jet lacks an air intake.

[Little Katie]

Yessss thanks so much.

[Redshift OTF]

You could use large wing surfaces for the centre part if it is not going to show as they hold together better. It would reduce the part count too.

[Little Katie]

You could use large wing surfaces for the centre part if it is not going to show as they hold together better. It would reduce the part count too.

I wish I would have thought of that. Doh!

But I did get it working! The air intake things were confusing me because sometimes I would see them on the jet engines and sometimes I wouldn't. I didn't realize they could be placed anywhere and the jet engine would go, if that makes any sense.

Forgot to strut the paddle, hehe. But I feel good. This might turn out okay

http://imgur.com/a/gtGSm

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[Redshift OTF]

Good start! I am interested in seeing how the paddle turns out. I'm made some good bearings recently so if you need any help with that let me know.