I've seen F-8s hit the single stage full afterburner on a carrier fight deck. 1st time I was standing about 30 feet from the starboard wingtip. It sounded like a bomb went off, the shock-wave hit me in and literally knocked me on my ass. F-14s were more forgiving with their 4-stage ABs. Great light shows man.

I flew an SR-71 in Chuck Yeagers AFT on a PC back it the EGA days. Tore the wings off and bought the farm too. That was a fun flight simulator.