The original post: /r/todayilearned by /u/Hoihe on 2024-10-09 00:23:53.

Original Title: TIL the early american jet used for ground-strike missions in Korea, the F-84 “Thunderjet” had a pilot’s myth associated with it. It was said it had a ground-sniffer and would only take-off if it could smell dirt. As such, pilots suggested carrying bags of dirt to make her take off on a shorter run.