Quote:
Crumpp says:
When the information manual reflects 100 Octane, then all operational aircraft of the type can use it.
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The January 1942 Spitfire Mk I Operating Notes clearly states in Notes on the Merlin engine that 100 Octane is for all operational units and all others will use 87 Octane.
The July 1940 Notes on the Merlin Engine only list 87 Octane operating limits and make no mention at all of 100 Octane. That is not to say 100 Octane was not in use. It was and the manual itself but not under the Notes on the Merlin engine references it "IF" the plane is equipped for it and "IF" the fuel is available.
"IF" would not even be in the manual "IF" all operational units were using the fuel in July 1940.
Any airframe using the fuel was doing so on a special issuance Notes on the Merlin Engine. The airframe serial number Operating Notes issued would reflect 100 Octane's use in that specific aircraft and once it becomes the standard fuel for the type, the General Information on the type Operating Notes will reflect that change.