This discussion brings to mind an interesting event.
Some years back I was on the B747-200.
After a long cruise, when the a/c was pitched over for descent there was a 'kerrrrrchunk' sound from below us.
At the time it was noticed but since all seemed well we carried on regardless.
Later we got some strange indications from various systems, tending to lead us to believe the aircraft thought it was 'on ground'.
Nothing really serious, but maybe we were lucky it didn't depressurise!
It later transpired that the noise we heard was the nose gear sliding up it's oleo as the aircraft pitched down for descent, and jolting into the 'fully compressed' position. All oleo pressure had leaked away during cruise!
Maybe the reversers might have been active in flight! We didn't try that!
The nose wheel was pretty rough on touchdown.
Hope that helps some of you Whale drivers someday.