At 11:07 AM 1/7/2012, you wrote: >2) Gear: I've already bought the Diehl nose-gear kit. The >'reverse-the-mains' thing is just my attempt to save some time & money >by re-using the existing gear (but making it fixed, not retract) & the >existing holes in the spar. If that can't be done, I'll buy Mr Root's >set of (assembled) Diehl mains that he's selling here. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Using the retracts in a "reverse" mode will require more work than installing Diehl main gear as the wheel / ground contact point on a tri gear must be behind the main spar by several inches. Also, check the height of the retracts compared to Diehl gear for an acceptable three point attitude. I can't see this as a "workable" solution. Also, I'd be leery of the expanding foam as a fix as there is no way to tell when it will quit expanding. I would suggest cutting out the damaged area with a dremel, removing the foam down to the skin on the opposite side, glue in a solid block of foam to fill the void, and glass repair the area. Just my humble opinion........... Larry Flesner P.S. Also, the Diehl setup is lighter than all the retract hardware.
