A Metal nose (not the nose cap) 1-26B would be a bit rare, most have a fiberglass nose I believe the 1-26A had a fabric nose. in which case mounting high in the nose would probably work good to fair. Of course a 1-26D or E has the metal nose so mounting an external 1/4 wave antenna is probably a good solution.

On all except the E model, one could consider mounting a dipole antenna as far back and low as possible in the Fuselage, As far back to minimize the cockpit metal from blocking the forward signal an as low as possible to get it as far away from the upper aluminum deck on the fuselage.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL