Posted for "John Petersen" <johnp@arlingtoninstitute.org>:

With all due respect, Bill, I had no idea that there were two sizes of
NLG strut.  The one I had came with my kit and, and as I explained in an
early email to you, we decided to use a V8 engine that required a
firewall forward kit that included new cowling, motor mount and NLG
strut.  My assumption was that there was something special about the
engine that required a heavier duty strut and that the one from the
original kit worked with any other kit using a Continental engine.   It was therefore news to me when Rob Lueck specifically mentioned to you
that there were two different sizes of strut and asked you to make sure
that what we had was what you wanted.  We only shipped the strut to you
after we provided pictures and when you had agreed that this was the
right size.  Having given you every opportunity to decide whether it was
what you wanted or not, I can understand Vern?s response to you: "No I
won't trade. I don't have any long nose gear forks in stock and
haven't had for a number of years. Like I said on the phone, this was a
real early strut and there were only a small number made. It wouldn't do
me any good at all to have it sitting on my shelf collecting dust."
 
Again, I?d suggest that you see if the original manufacturer could
retrofit it with a longer barrel.
 
John L. Petersen
The Arlington Institute
1-703-812-7900 x11