I purchased an ARF kit that has foam core wings. This is a tail dragger (P26). The main landing gear is located too far back on the wing (behind the CG). This will make the plane nose over very easy on takeoff and landings. Therefore, I want to move it a close as practical to the leading edge (at least in front of the CG). I have room to move the gear about one inch forward which will put them about 3/4 inch in front of the CG and close to the leading edge of the wing.

I have NEVER worked with foam core wings so my questions are about moving the landing gear mounting blocks. My initial thoughts were to cut out the old blocks and re-install them in the new location. However, that would leave a hole in the foam and make it weak. The new location with be just in front of the old location (the gear will be moved about one inch). So my second thought is to leave the old blocks where they are, make new blocks and cut holes for new blocks just in front of the old blocks. Is this the right thing to do? What glue should I use on the new blocks (epoxy)? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Vic

If it were me, I would use 1/4 aircraft ply for the LG blocks. Carve away enough of the wing for a good snug fit. Mist the wood and foam with water, and apply a thin coat of polyurethane glue to both surfaces. Let sit for 15 minutes, mist again and press the LG block into the foam. Clamp tightly in place for a minimum of 4 hours at 70 degrees or higher. Polyglue likes warmth and moisture as it cures. Keep some Qtips handy and rags for cleaning up foaming glue as it cures (starting fluid soaked qtips and rags work great to clean up spills and foam). Or, you can let the glue foam up and slice it off with a razor after it has cured. Redrill your mounting holes, as they will have filled with glue. Screw in gear and go.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: I should add that poly glue will not stick to wax paper. I use that on the foot of the clamp whenever practical, to keep the clamp from sticking.

I would leave the pre-installed ones alone in the wing. I would get/make new landing gear block and use either short dowels on top of the block drilled straight into the wing or some false ribs added on the block and slot them in when installing to help spread the load out in the wing. You can do as mentioned with polyurethane glue or a slow setting epoxy.
ps How's the Flanker Vic?

Or you could just mount a composite style U/C on the fuselage just ahead of the wing L/E, can be swept back too if you like. take a look on ebay at some of the 'Carbon Copy' products!