An F-4 Phantom (American Air Force fighter jet) pilot requested clearance to take off, but due to the amount of civilian traffic the ATC told him he’d have to hold. The F4 pilot was becoming impatient and after a repeated request to take-off the controller suggested that if the pilot could reach 14,000ft within half the runway length he could take off; otherwise he would have to hold. To the controllers’ surprise the F-4 pilot acknowledged the tower and began to roll. At the halfway mark the F-4 went vertically up until he reached 14,000ft, then levelled off. The controller had no option than to hand the pilot over to departures and wish him a nice day since he’d met the conditions laid down. The controller said it was the damndest thing he ever saw.