I must be getting forgetful. I thought the Vixen had metal spars, but wood ribs and skins. The only metal ribs were the ones either side of the fold mechanism, mostly for wear reasons. I won't argue, it WAS a long time ago! (44 years +/-)
If I'd known then that I would be interested now, I could have taken all sorts of useful photos, of all the bits that you simply cannot get now! (Hindsight, hey!?)
if you are calm and collected when all about you are going berserk - you've missed something important!