Hmm, that gives me another idea to try next week: maybe we can make right angled 40-pin IDE socket for primary port.
How about a PCB that relocates the ROM sockets?
It would move the IDE controller portion of the FastATA out from under the Mediator into what is usually dead space in an A1200 tower. It just needs a longer ribbon cable to connect to the Gayle adapter.
With some plastic backing material between the IDE controller and the tower you could safely plug and unplug cables in situ without the risk of flexing the board.
I made a quick mock-up of how it would fit below.
