I remember a technical issue where the pax could see it being fixed, the VC10 has an engine air start valve that sometimes used to stick due to a little bit of carbon build up.
We were doing a pushback with the pax onboard and the pilot announced he was having a technical issue as they couldn't start No 2 engine, I pushed a safety raiser under the engine, dropped the cowling open, then taking the safety raiser jacking handle gave the valve a little whack, at which point I heard the satisfying sound of the valve motor open, shutting the cowling and stowing the jacking handle, I looked up to see all the passenger faces glued to the windows ( RAF rearward facing seats) who had been watching me beating the engine with a jacking handle. Shortly afterwards the captain announced the technical issue had been rectified and they were pushed back,
