Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurfürst
Hmm, I wonder if its the case that both versions are correct - all Blenheims seem to have had 100 octane as a general rule apart from 87 octane in the inbord engines, but some Blenheim Squadron Stations of No. 2 Group were a bit more 'more equal' and were supplied with 100 octane only, while 87 octane was removed from thesestations - and consequently, could only fill 100 octane in both inner and outer tanks of their Blenheims.
See attached papers David has posted a while ago and compared them to the April note by Mike above. It would also mean that Blenheims consumed far more than originally thought.
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Fair enough: Assuming all Blenheims used 100 octane (six Blenheim units may have used 100 octane in all tanks)
Wyton:
XV
40
Watton:
82
Wattisham:
107
West Raynham:
101
Blenheim = 479 imp gals
Defiant= 97
Hurricane = 90
Spitfire = 85
Total= 751 divided by 4 = 187.75
1 ton 100 octane = 315.5 divided by 187.75 = 1.7 fuel loads
"Please note that the 10,000 tons of 100 octane, shown in Table II - Consumption consumed for the period June - Aug 1940, is the monthly average of those 3 months, therefore for the period June - Aug 1940 30,000 tons were actually consumed." (Lane#31
June to August 30,000 tons 100 octane consumed x 1.7 = 51,000 fuel loads divide by 92 days = 554.3 fuel loads per day
Sept 14,000 tons 100 octane x 1.7 = 23,800 divided by 30 days = 793.3 fuel loads per day
Oct 17,000 x 1.7 = 28,900 divided by 31 = 932.2 fuel loads per day
June to Oct = 61,000 tons consumed x 1.7 = 103,700 divide by 153 = 677.7 fuel loads per day consumed on average.
51,364 sorties, day & night from July 10 through Sept 30; some of the most intensive combat took place between these dates. Of course there were quiet periods when far fewer combat sorties were flown by Fighter Command; eg: August 16 & 17, between two days of intensive combat August 15 & 18.
51,364 divided by 13 weeks = 4,280 fuel loads = 611 fuel loads daily
average:
Even with all Blenheims
theoretically using 100 octane fuel, there was still more than enough being 100 octane fuel being
consumed - not issued - from June through end of October to supply 100% of FC, and some BC, operations. Once again this is also assuming
all aircraft landed with empty tanks and had to be completely refueled, rather than being topped up.