 They were cut the rubber with bayonets, and were able to cut through the steel beading thanks to the engineers carefully cutting the steel cords with a blowtorch.A fire extinguisher was kept handy because of fear of catching the magnesium wheel on fire.About two hours later, realizing that enemy artillery rounds were coming closer to his aircraft, Colonel Cole tried to take off for the second time, and managed to get the C-130 into the air.