Inaccurate performance data for BOB fighters in COD comparing to RL data

[winny]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

If it is correct, then there is absolutely no chance a single operational squadron flew with the fuel during the Battle of Britain.

luckily it's not correct. Just let me understand your argument here.

You're disregarding contemporary combat reports, pilot's memoirs, Morgan and shacklady and more, in favour of a document that was written when nobody in Europe expected the war to start in 1939. Nobody, not even hitler.



Britain was in the process of rearmament. Everything changed in September '39.
They were expecting to have to fight in '41 or '42. As soon as Poland was invaded all the plans changed.

The history of trimpell oil refinery says that according to their records there were over 300 converted spitfires and hurricanes by the end of July. They supplied the fuel, at the time. Surely their account is more reliable.

EDIT: Corrected spelling of Trimpell

[lane]

Originally Posted by winny

The history of trimpnell oil refinery says that according to their records there were over 300 converted spitfires and hurricanes by the end of July. They supplied the fuel, at the time. Surely their account is more reliable.

Close but not quite Winny:

"Bulk supply contracts for higher octane fuel were placed by the Air Ministry and it was put into widespread use in the RAF in March 1940 when Spitfires' Rolls Royce Merlin engines were converted to use the 100 octane fuel.

By May 1940, reconnaissance Spitfires had begun flying combat missions using the 100 octane fuel. By 31 July 1940, there were 384 Spitfires serving in 19 squadrons using the 100 octane fuel."

Heysham Heritage Association, The Trimpell Oil Refinery



Heysham’s position is not unique, rather it’s very much in keeping with the conventional view:





Alec Harvey-Bailey, The Merlin in Perspective, (Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, Derby, 1983)


Alfred Price, The Spitfire Story, (Arms and Armour Press Ltd., London, 1986)


David Ross, The Greatest Squadron of Them All, The Definitive History of 603 Squadron, RAauxAF, (Grub Street, London, 2003)


W.G. Dudek and D. R. Winans, AIAA Paper No. 69-779, Milestones in Aviation Fuels, (Esso Research and Engineering Company, New York 1969.)


A. R. Ogston, History of Aircraft Lubricants, (Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. Warrendale, PA USA), p. 12.

[winny]

Originally Posted by lane

Close but not quite Winny:

Sorry it was from memory. I underestimated

And I'd forgotten about the fact that they were converting 87 into 100 - which means that the import figures do not take into account existing 87 that was converted in the UK.

Nice.

[Glider]

This might help. This is the RAF Order of Battle as reported to FC at 09.00 on the 13th July giving squadrons, bases and the operational status, I only hope you can read them. These are the original reports posted to FC as held in the NA

The no of Spitfire Squadrons is an almost exact match for my OOB plus the Hurricane Squadrons not mentioned in the prior posting

[lane]

Originally Posted by Glider

This might help. This is the RAF Order of Battle as reported to FC at 09.00 on the 13th July giving squadrons, bases and the operational status, I only hope you can read them. These are the original reports posted to FC as held in the NA

Nice document Glider. Thanks for sharing!