[Glider]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

The following Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons are known to have used 100 octane fuel before or during the BoB:
1, 17, 19, 41, 43, 54, 56, 64, 65, 66, 72, 73, 74, 79, 85, 87, 92, 141, 145, 151, 152, 222, 229, 234, 245, 249, 264, 303, 602, 603, 605, 609, 610, 611, 616

These squadrons were stationed at the following airfields (bold text) at sometime during the BoB.


11 Group

RAF Biggin Hill

- RAF West Malling

RAF Debden

- RAF Martlesham Heath

RAF Hornchurch

- RAF Hawkinge
- RAF Gravesend
- RAF Manston, night fighter base
- RAF Rochford

RAF Kenley

- RAF Croydon

RAF Northolt

RAF North Weald

- RAF Martlesham
- RAF Stapleford

RAF Tangmere

- RAF West Malling
- RAF Ford
- RAF Lee on Solent, RN airfield
- RAF Gosport, RN airfield
- RAF Thorney Island
- RAF Westhampnett


Not sure which Sector airfield these were assigned to but as all the sector airfields had 100 octane fuel, these to would need a stock of 100 octane fuel.

RAF Detling

RAF Eastchurch

RAF Hendon

RAF Lympne


In 10 Group, 5 of the 6 airfields had stocks of 100 octane fuel.

In 12 Group, 7 of the 8 airfields had stocks of 100 octane fuel.

In 13 Group, 7 of the 10 airfields had stocks of 100 octane fuel. Of the 3 that possible didn't have stocks of 100 octane fuel, one was based in the Shetland Is. and the other in the Orkney Is.

I did go to the NA today for a while to do some family history but did spent some time looking at a few of the squadron operational records. Once again I found that the details vary by squadron but can add two maybe three additional squadrons to the list of 100 Octane users.

No 111 squadron (based at Drem)
On the 15th February 1940 the squadron was released while the tanks were drained and replaced by 100 Octane.

No 32 Squadron (based Gravesend)
29th February 1940, 20 new type aircraft fitted with Metal Wings, new propellers and fuel were delivered during the month. 13 L type machines were flown away

No 213 Squadron
24th February new aircraft were delivered to the squadron.

As you can see, no 111 and 32 squadrons are pretty clear, but I have little doubt that no 213 squadron will be debated by some. My personal view is that if 32 squadron received new aircraft with all the improvements, its unlikely that 213 wouldn't less than a week earlier.

I did go to look up 232 squadron but they only formed in July 1940 when 100 Octane was the normal issue, so it wouldn't have been worth mentioning, i did look but there was no mention. I found it interesting that all the dates are in February.