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Mr. Bailey,
First, thank you for posting in this discussion. Do you have perhaps any information as to how 'widespread' the use of 100 octane fuel was in Fighter Command from May 1940, how many Squadrons were using it etc?
Certainly there are some extremist opinions that which suggest that each and every Spitfire and Hurricane was running on that fuel, at all time. So far however, no evidence at all was produced that would support that point of view and without the evidence, the statement would appear to me as mere wishful thinking.
In particular, it seems that there is evidence in May 1940 decision was made to stop existing conversion on the basis of the uncertainity of the supplies, and that around 1/4 of the Squadrons were supplied with this kind of fuel during most of the Battle.
Dont lose it boys, this is an intersting discussion
Glider, interesting posts.
Re: December 1939 decisions.
I'd have to revisit the PRO to be definite about this, however:
My notes indicate that the position in December was that the 'roll-out' of 100-octane remained at ACAS' discretion, and this was issued in February subject to expenditure of 87-octane and replacement with 100-octane. The notes I have of the AoC-in-C of Fighter Command's memo on the issue of 12 December 1939 indicate that use of 100-octane was approved for the Hurricane, Spitfire and Defiant but I don't believe this amounted to execising the decision to begin using the fuel operationally, which seems to have remained at ACAS' discretion as I understand it. That authority seems to have been given in February and confirmed in May.
Let me know if I've misapprehended this.
In any case, the relevant file for that letter (PRO AIR 2/2434) should contain the rather interesting observation for some readers, made on 25 August 1938, that the RAF planned to supply 100 octane to all Spitfire and Hurricane bases.
Doesn't provide the details unfortunately, I'll rake around and see if I can find anythingWhat modifications to the engine were required btw?
What modifications to the engine were required btw?