Just read this enjoyable thread from the start.
About ground staff saluting... at TN Lae for each DC6B departure the traffic/cargo staff handling the aircraft used to line up abeam of the cockpit. The Traffic Officer, with hat on, handling the docs used to salute the aircraft when it started to taxi.
Similar scene on Nauru in the 1980's when the President of Nauru Hammer De Roburt was about to depart (or arrive) Nauru for one of his many flights on Air Nauru. The Heads of the various Public Service appointments would be all lined up on the hot tarmac wearing their ties waiting for the President to arrive in his Bentley limousine. He was rarely on time so they had to sweat it out. As the aircraft taxied for takeoff everyone would wave and stand in line until the aircraft departed. Ties would then be removed and it would be back to work.