NB The normal method used for the pop rivet removal is to knock out the stem, drill through to enable the head to be removed and then knock out the tail. What we’ve found is a variety of steel and alluminium stems creating issues and the obligitary spinning pops.

Until the yanks developed Cherry Max,s..Ggggrrrrr.

What I was taught at QANTAS as well.Drill off head and lightly punch out tail with pin punch..Great fun doing steel rivets in aluminium spars.

Last I heard fuselage structure was complete and on display at Nobuo Haradas Car Museum. As of 2016 the aviation project underway is the restoration of a Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa/Oscar fighter

I do know for a fact 6AD Oakey had a prop shop at the base during WW2..Most likely had one at Amberly as well.

The top cutout is for the gyro gunsight isnt it?

The replica ones that are available don’t seem to have the instrument holes drilled.

This happens because the panel is CNC routed and the router bit is at a minimum 3mm diameter..

Maybe they need get in contact with the Sandbar Mitchell guys for swapsies..