a refuelling tanker was valiantly trying to keep ahead of the consumption curve of the two p & w j58-p4 engines that were ticking over , as the little hunter skidded to a halt , smoke billowing from its brakes , and as the box was transferred into the hands of a rso ( reconnaissance systems officer ) that never was , it was the signal for the fuel delivery operative to disconnect his hose , replace the fuel cap , close the panel and vacate the area , but he had only completed the first three items on his check list when the two huge engines above him went into afterburner and he and fred were blown unceremoniously off the runway , quickly followed by a flaying refuelling hose .