I saw one at the EAA back in 1997. We were about 500 feet from the end of the runway, and everyone was walking toward it.
"WHat's going on?"
"U2's gonna take off!"
We heard the thing power up, and could see the tail above the heads of the crowd. Suddenly (and by sudden, I mean about 30 seconds after throttle-up) it lifted off, and bang, it was gone into the clouds.
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