A Must-Hear Incredible Cold Start of WWII Transport Airplane Engines

Tractors and Engines / YouTube
Transport planes from World War II, those workhorses that ferried troops, supplies, and dreams across the continents and oceans, hold a special nostalgia for many of us. Even now, there’s something magical about seeing these old birds take to the skies or just hearing their engines rumble to life. Experiencing this is like touching a tangible piece of history, a reminder of days filled with both peril and hope.
Lisunov Li-2 and Douglas DC-3
Two particular planes that catch our imagination โ the Lisunov Li-2 and the Douglas DC-3. Imagine catching a video clip of the Li-2’s engines awakening from slumber. This aircraft, the Soviet response to the Douglas DC-3, played its part on the vast Eastern Front and beyond, becoming a lifeline in the harshest conditions. The one in the video, hailing from Hungary, is supposedly the last of its kind still flying. Seeing it in action is like cracking open a time capsule, giving us a glimpse of an era when these planes were the heroes of the skies.
Then there’s the Douglas DC-3, an aircraft that has earned its legendary status many times over. It’s hard not to be captivated by stories of its continued use even in the 1960s, with companies like Trans-Texas Airways. Someone reminiscing in the video comments about spotting one at Love Field in Dallas in 1968 is a testament to the deep impressions these planes have made on those fortunate enough to have encountered them.
Watch the video below:
These videos doing the rounds are more than just vintage plane appreciation; they’re a salute to human ingenuity and resilience. The throaty growl of these engines firing up isn’t just noise; it’s music to the ears of history buffs and aviation enthusiasts alike. It’s a bridge to the past, reviving the tales of those who built, flew, and depended on these aircraft in a world at war and in the peace that followed.