I can’t say that is a strange howl, just intake noise like the Vulcan. Or like the ‘whistling wheelbarrow’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ARSE8jEHQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8leadlYztFE

For what its worth I recall watching a video of the RQ170 UAV and thinking it howled….

Bad intake? The HP Victor K2 would screech from the intake when ground running. Stationary and above 100% especially slam checks, they were loud. Taking off was less noticable.

That’s not to say that you can’t work on it, but you should be aware of the dangers when things are turning and burning.
I have worked on numerous a/c in that state out of necessity. Props and vacuum cleaners should be treated with great respect.

Why was he working on the a/c with the engine running?

I know. Spares were recovered before it was placed as gate (car park) guard.

Indeed. Overall I like the Satin/Gloss Black scheme, pity it was only used for trials. It was simply to hide sensors and other gizmos on the aircraft from sneaky eyes. How Skunkworks! 🙂

2x slipper tank and 2x CBLS? Impressive if they fall on your foot.

If I was to do his work instead of him then there would be no more mister nice guy…………

I haven’t been involved with the MRRT’s.
It depends on the tanker, has it been built for short and sharp take off. The VC10 was known for that. They had been built for short runways and hot & high work.
Google up the specs for the MRRT and the KC10, that should answer your question.
Fuel load does change the runway length. Having seen the Victors operate for a number of years you could see very easily which a/c were full or half on take off.