I have not been to a tractor pull at the county fair in a long time. But, years ago there were a number of Allisons and Merlins installed in unlimited class tractors. Yes, when those turbo got spun up there was some real noise and smoke, not to mention red stacks ... and the ground really shook!
A couple of years ago there was a B-17 touring the countryside and for $300 you could get a ride. I had brought my bombsight with to donate, in case they needed one for the plane, but, alas, there was one installed. I was too broke for the ride, but, I went to the ended of the runway and parked just to hear the sweet sound of those radials at full power.
That reminds me, I was on my way home from a prairie dog expedition in South Dakota back in the early '90's and a semi rig passed me near Kadoka, SD. And to my suprise it had a disassembled P-47 on the trailer and a couple of engines. I did not realize that they had two rows of jugs and were 18 cylinders! I pulled up alongside the trailer and looked her over pretty good, then pulled up as far as the cab and gave the drive a "thumbs up", which brought a big smile to his face and then fell back and took up the rear guard position in the escort. I was really hoping he would pull over for fuel somewhere, but, no such luck. We parted company at the MN #13 & I-90 junction near Albert Lea, MN. It was a real thrill to see a P-47 even on a trailer because I knew someone was going to get the ol' girl back in the air!
All three of my mom's brothers were in the military and Uncle Melvin flew F-51's for the Army Air Corps during the war running shore patrol out of Pennsicola (sp?). Somewhere I have photos of him and a few of his buddies and their planes. I will have to look for them and scan a few to post here.
Mark, I can't help but wonder what you are writing a book on and what you have written in the past?