There is a good book called, I think, " Riding the Dragon". About test pilot's exploits. Fellow flying a Vought Cutlass,Which was plagued with mechanical problems, had the hydraulics for gear and slats quit. Had to pump them down with a jack. With the long nose gear, had to get the slats out to get the nose up high enough to land on all three wheels and not just the nose gear. Said his pump arm was like Popeyes. It's a good read if you can find it. Also a good artical on test flying supersonic props on a P 47 Thunderbolt in a terminal velocity dive at full throttle. Talk about pucker factor.