The Royal Navy treated aviation-fuel management as a survival system. First World War fires had made the service wary of leaving volatile fuel in exposed pipes and working spaces. British yards therefore rebuilt the fuel systems of American-built escort carriers so unused fuel drained back into protected tanks, despite American confidence in the simpler arrangement. The British system also drew on study of German wartime practice. It later influenced American carrier design in return.
Notable Point · 4:43-7:07
Royal Navy experience shaped carrier fuel-safety systems
First World War fire experience explains why Britain rebuilt American escort carriers so volatile fuel drained safely back into protected tanks.