The tank video reminded me of starting the engine aboard MV Krait.

A Gardner 6LW six-cylinder diesel engine, it had a crank handle at both ends.

Two blokes at each end would work each handle, getting things turning to a fair old clip, and then the engine man would quickly release the decompression lever on each cylinder, in a particular sequence, so as to get the cylinders firing.

It took a deft touch, but if done right, the engine would be chugging away.

If not done well, the crank handles come to an instantaneous halt. Broken wrists are not unknown.

The engine is still the same one which was installed in Cairns in 1943.