(NGC) WOW! This must be loud!

[Gliderjohn]

At 34-36 seconds into this film clip the background shows what I assume is the crew chief of a British Spitfire fighter riding on the wing sitting close to the fuselage and pretty much directly behind the exhaust stack from a 12 cylinder Merlin while taxiing. Even at low rpm and cannot image the assault the the ears that must have been.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GKkj3zuPgc
GliderJohn

[Paul Brooking]

could also be the squadron's rookie pilot trainee being introduced to the "dicky" seat for a training flight 

[guzzisteve]

I couldn't see any headgear on him, all I can hear is Blues music.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I can't imagine anyone in the services being issued hearing protection back then.

[Roebling3]

Oh darn. I had forgotten about all those years refueling P51's, et. al.  Been blaming my tinnitus on jazz concerts, jet aircraft and the occasional bang 'til ~1960. Too late diligent. That time sighting a 270 Winchester. Sudden shower and I foolishly yanked a tarp over my head for one more shot. OM! Dumb teenager.  R3~

[yogidozer]

Was there sound to the video? Maybe it's something just on my computer?

[larrys]

Oh darn. I had forgotten about all those years refueling P51's, et. al.  Been blaming my tinnitus on jazz concerts, jet aircraft and the occasional bang 'til ~1960. Too late diligent. That time sighting a 270 Winchester. Sudden shower and I foolishly yanked a tarp over my head for one more shot. OM! Dumb teenager.  R3~

Wrecked my hearing working on F-111's. Even the gensets had jet engines!
Larry

[Roebling3]

It could have been a little bit worse had it been a rotary engine burning Castor oil.  R3~