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Gentlemen, start your engines...

 

We showed up at the right day! Every four days, the planes are started and a run-up is performed. In this shot, you can see Tanker 62 starting its right inboard engine.

I did my best "please sir" act to get on-board during the runup, but it was not to be (insurance, etc).

The engines sputter, cough and produce a lot of smoke (and oil) upon starting (like any good radial should!). Once running, the sound is amazing.

A crowd gathers to watch Tanker 62 perform its run-up. Pilot (Brian) and co-pilot (Rick) of Tanker 66 are standing on the left. That is a P3 behind us. Still watching Tanker 62 run. Wow.
  Jake asks, "What're they doin'?"

Tanker 62 parked behind Tanker 66 moves out to do its run-up while Tanker 66 starts up. These DC-7's spew a lot of oil when they start, so the pilots coordinate their run-ups to minimize the mess on planes behind them.

Once Tanker 62 is out of the way, Tanker 66 starts up.

Close up - the sound of these radials was amazing. The spray can is full of degreaser.
Tanker 66 taxis back in after the run-up. If you look closely at the wing near the engine mounts, you can see where the engine has thrown oil on the wing.
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