V/DHF/vg.

1) Dir. of supply Petroleum Section 26.5.1944

2) Dir. of Maint

3) Dir. of Tec. Engr

1.      The Eighth Air Force have requested that the VIII Fighter Command Stations be supplied immediately with grade 150 aviation fuel for use in P-47, P-51 and P-38 planes.

2.      The fuel has been tested in service and the results have been such that the fuel is desired as soon as its supply can be implemented.

3.      The modifications necessary on the planes, to obtain the maximum efficiency from the fuel, can be carried out on the airfields during normal servicing of the planes between missions without taking them out of service. It is understood no special equipment or parts are required for the present change over, but the PPF project equipment should come forward from the U.S.A. as it may be required later.

4.      Modifications made to obtain the maximum efficiency from the use of grade 150 aviation fuel does not alter the ability to use grade 100/130 aviation fuel. Consequently planes so modified can operate on either fuel but on different power settings.

5.      The matter of supplying 150 grade fuel has been taken up with the Air Ministry. There is now approximately 30,000 tons of this fuel in storage at Stanlow. The production of 150-grade fuel is sufficient to take care of the fighter stations of the VIII Fighter Command based on their present rate of operations.

6.      The Air Ministry has taken up the matter of production and distribution with the Petroleum Board and an affirmative reply has been given to this section.

7.      An estimate of peak requirements of the stations involved indicates that this may amount to 7,440,000 Imp gallons for one month at maximum effort. Otherwise, at sustained effort, the peak requirements will amount to approximately 6,000,000 Imp gallons. Shown below is a list of the stations involved, the depot at which fuel may be stored, the type of aircraft, and estimated peak monthly gallonage at maximum effort. To arrive at peak figure for sustained effort use 80% of the figures shown.

8.      Details as to storage at Distributing Depots is under consideration. It is not intended to disturb or in any way interfere with the normal supply of grade 100/130 fuel.

9.      A check of the storage at Thetford and Sandy indicates that storage can be made available with little difficulty. At Claydon and Saffron Walden the storage presents a more difficult problem, and storage at Ipswich and sandy may be required. However, it is understood that this can be made available.

10.      The use of the grade 150 fuel will result in longer truck hauls to some of the stations and will inconvenience the Petroleum Board’s distribution system to the extent that it will be necessary to do a part of the hauling in refuelers. This is being considered and can be worked out with the Eighth Air Force and Petroleum Board.