100 Octane petrol was first used by the RAF in spitfires in 1940, just in time for the Battle of Britain, replacing the 87 Octane fuel previously available.
This fuel increased the spitfire's speed by 25 mph at sea level and by 34 mph at 10,000 feet.
pfemstn,
Jan 16, 8:20am
196783 octane
petal_91,
Jan 16, 9:55am
With 98 in the tank, does it go 25mph faster like the spitfire! The Rootes Group made planes during WW2 you know!
elect70,
Jan 16, 1:54pm
TELwas cheap & easy way toraise octane .Believe can still buy it, foraircraftorracingbutlots of hoops to jump through .
pfemstn,
Jan 16, 5:06pm
83 was the highest grade the low octane was 68 for many years!
socram,
Jan 16, 5:28pm
UK 5 star Shell was 101 Octane at the pumps 1970's.No idea what 1/2/3/4 star were. Using race gas now does not make much measurable difference over 98 BP - but it has the lead in it.
corky,
Jan 16, 5:55pm
I can recall BP Super and BP Regular and a pump that gave you the option of something like a mix of 25/75, 50/50 and 75/25 % with the twist of a dial. Mid 1960s !.
kokako14,
Jan 16, 6:50pm
And don't forget the Final Filter fitted to the fuel hose, just after the pump. Can't rememder what they were filtering out though
paul861,
Jan 17, 7:01am
my vintage tractors (ww2) were made to run on 65 octane
supernova2,
Jan 17, 8:29am
Wsa that a filter or just a sight glass!I thought it wassight glass but can't see what the point of it was.Didn't it have someting engraved on the chrome ring to the effect that glass must be full before commencing delivery!
83 and 96 IIRC and yes BP did have those pick you own mix pumps.Wonder how they worked out what to charge the customer as it was before the days of priced pumps.
Wonder how many customers had any idea why they were "mixing their own" and given the fleet at the time why did they bother!
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