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Originally Posted by Za Rodinu
I don't know what you think, but when I see a stencil saying "SUITABLE FOR AEROMATICS" I feel inclined to doubt the accuracy of the rest...
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I assumed that 'aeromatic' was a mis-spelling of 'aromatic', which referred to additives in foreign gasoline that weren't found in American refined fuels (during WWII). Quoting from 'Fortress Against the Sun", which chronicles the efforts of B-17's against Japan in the Dutch East Indies....
As early as late-December the 19th BG had reported that the Dutch aromatic additive in their gasoline was dissolving the rubber linings of the self-sealing bullett-proof fuel tanks and gumming up the engines and caruretors. Immediately, warnings had gone out to dilute the Dutch gas with American gas. American gas was non-aromatic while that produced by the Dutch contained between 20 and 30 percent aromatics.
Now, regarding the provenence of the stencil shown, whether it is the original stencil with a mis-spelling, or an 'exact' reproduction or a 'good enough' repro would likely indicate, as you point out, that the other data (including 'Crew Weight') bears further scrutiny .... a couple quick Googles didn't come up with anything.
-whatever
-Lou