Shark’s Mouths Everywhere

John Morris August 01, 2016

Under Wraps

A fierce Sonex Subsonic jet snarls like a guard dog.

Kittyhawks and Warhawks

It’s de rigeur for Curtiss fighters to bare their teeth.

Kittyhawks and Warhawks 2

Not just sharks, but tigers, too.

Tiger Shark?

“The Aleutian Tiger” sports a different set of teeth.

Nice Kitty!

It wouldn’t be the same without the artwork!

A Full Set

Douglas A-26B Invader, USAAF Serial Number 44-34104 and named “Silver Dragon” will bite with its .50 caliber nose guns.

Not a Wild Weasel

One of two USAF F-4 Phantoms at Oshkosh sported shark’s mouth teeth.

Phantasmagorical RV

This incredibly painted RV depicted a flying fantasy animal whose ferocity leaves little to the imagination.

At Its Zenith?

How fierce can it really be?

You Gotta be Kidding!

There’s nothing to be said about this one.

Many dentists are involved in aviation, but that doesn’t explain the love of teeth painted to give a fierce look on everything from warbirds to all-terrain vehicles. Shark’s mouths abound at Oshkosh.

All Photos by Maureen Spuhler

John Morris

John was editor of Aviation Week's ShowNews for nearly two decades. He retired in 2020. His background in business journalism before joining Aviation Week includes stints at Reuters, the American Banker daily banking newspaper and as business news editor at the Milwaukee Journal and the Cincinnati Enquirer.