Originally, the plane was painted all black with no identifying marks. One US general demand that they paint 'US Air Force' on it so people would know who was spying on them.

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Because you think there was any doubt without markings?

"Ooh, I wonder what country that Mach-3-capable aircraft belongs top. The Belgian Air Force maybe? Them Belgians, they're so sneaky..."

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The SR71 needs at LEAST a 1700m long runway to take off, since it doesn't really have flaps and stuff.

Belgium doesn't have a stretch of intact asphalt that long anywhere in the country.

[–] ChicoSuave@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Fine, the South Africans

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 1 points 3 weeks ago

Or like anyone could see it at 100,000ft.