I'm looking for information on the use of the Hi-Shear rivets within the wings and possibly elsewhere in the airframe of the Merlin-powered P-51 Mustang in order to calculate a creditable weight savings estimate. The most accurate information I have found is from a US Dept of Labor of Bureau of Labor Statistics report titled "Summary of Technological Developments Affecting War Production, dated Jul-43. This report states,
I can estimate weight savings from these numbers, but I'd like to confirm that Hi-Shear rivets weren't used in the fuselage and empennage.
"North American reports that nearly 1,000 "Hi-shear' rivets are used in the wing of the P-51 "Mustang" fighter, replacing 798 bolts and a large number of regular rivets. In this application, the now super-hard rivets, which are installed much faster than bolts, are said to affect 60 percent weight savings over the rivets and bolts previously used. The new rivet is too hard to be driven in the usual way, so the employee who developed the rivet invented the special tool now use for Hi-shear riveting."
I can estimate weight savings from these numbers, but I'd like to confirm that Hi-Shear rivets weren't used in the fuselage and empennage.