Originally posted by bgi
That's the real issue with a tail-dragger. After moving the mains forward far enough to prevent nose-overs, your wings will be severely weakened without some serious thought followed by some structural changes.
I never said it would be easy! LOL!! Moving the gear forward won't be that big of a problem, structure-wise, plus the fact that the wing is swept will help with the placement because you won't have to center the wheels under the leading edge...it won't be that critical.
Besides, this plane would just look WRONG in a tail-dragger configuration. 
I think it would look pretty spiffy...opinions will vary, obviously. Hey the ME-262 was a taildragger at first....hehehe. Once the gear is up, you won't know the difference.
As far as the tailwheel sticking out, I'm leaning toward a sub fin, making the rudder longer in chord and fairing in a wheel well on the bottom of the rudder.
I have 1 stock built Patriot and two more NIB...lots of stock to bash around with.
Don