The problem that emerged with the existing cookers
All of the main types of British Cookers (including No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3) appear to have been satisfactory items from prior to Jul 1939 (the publication date of the above V.A.O.S) until the fall of 1942 when their continued use was upset by the decision to supply M.T. 80 Leaded Petrol.
It was quickly learned that the existing cookers were not suitable for use with leaded petrol and all of them either had to be modified or completely re-designed so that they could function properly.
War Office Letter 57/General/1926/O.S.9. dated 17 Mar 1943
Cookers, Portable and Leaded Petrol
"M.T 80 petrol, which contains lead, is now being adopted as the motor spirit for all purposes and is likely to be in general distribution by the middle of April.* From then onward this leaded petrol will be the only grade readily available.
Cookers, Portable, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 will not function satisfactorily on petrol containing a high tetra-ethyl-lead content unless special cleaning and adjustment take place to remedy the effect of the lead.
The remedy is to prevent the petrol in the cooker burner from exceeding a temperature of 600 degrees F, above which the tetra-ethyl-lead becomes decomposed and is deposited as a solid which rapidly chokes jets, etc...."
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