There was no structural element to the strakes, purely airflow
IIRC, they were made from wood, (or was I just smoking something??
)
Ah yes, the happy days of ASI tanker dets, Trivial Pursuit on the outbound leg, freezing yer 'nads off during the transfer, the essential components to successfully re-pressurize after the transfer (kimwipe and a cold water flask...) and the welcome orange dot on the radar after the trek back home...