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Re:Coffman engine starter by lstodd on Sunday November 04, 2018 @05:04AM (#18375122)
And if you're out of cartridges - a rope and a pair of felt boots save the day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJtDIB-Ybew

Re:Coffman engine starter by Steve44 on Sunday November 04, 2018 @11:15AM (#18376541)
Some thought or past experience has gone into that I'd say. Using the two boots in series to give a longer pull is pretty clever.
Re:Coffman engine starter by lstodd on Sunday November 04, 2018 @04:29PM (#18378157)
That was almost-standard in 1920s-1930s.

A rubber cord, a single felt boot (since most propellers were two blade), two-three men: one holds the propeller, others pull the cord. When they can't pull it any more, propeller is released.

Main problem was to warm up the engine in winter. For liquid-cooled ones that was done by repeatedly draining the system and refilling with hot water. I don't remember what they did with air cooled ones, maybe a blower of some kind, or just a blowtorch to the cylinders. There aren't many options on a snow field out somewhere in nowhere.

Re:Coffman engine starter by tyingq on Sunday November 04, 2018 @09:19AM (#18375958)
Brave. That could have been some really bad rope burns or worse if the rope got tangled.