Hawker Typhoon 'Sharkmouth'

Hawker Typhoon

IB MP197 / MR-U, ‘Sharkmouth’ No.245 Squadron,

2nd Tactical Air Force,

Germany and RAF

Warmwell, Dorset, England,

June-August 1945

Despite the fact that the deep chin radiator

of the Hawker Typhoon fighter was particularly

suited to the application of some aggressive

looking nose artwork, most RAF aircraft,

particularly Hawker Typhoons, rarely featured

anything more than their standard squadron

colours during WWII. One high profile exception

to this rule was Typhoon IB MP147, an aircraft

which featured a fearsome array of teeth behind

its bright blue spinner, making it one of the most

distinctive RAF aircraft in the European Theatre.

Thought to be the only Typhoon to feature a

representation of sharks teeth on its radiator,

MP417 ‘Sharky’ was issued to RAF No.245

Squadron in August 1944, whilst Allied units

were engaged in the savage fighting around

the Falaise Pocket and remained with the squadron

until it disbanded on 15th August the following year.

Logbook entries show that Sharky was flown by

successful Canadian pilot Flt. Lt. Harrison Taylor ‘Moose’

Mossip, who had been awarded the Distinguished Flying

Cross for his previous successes operating the Typhoon

with RAF No.1 Squadron. Known to possess a particularly

aggressive flying style, Mossip was one of the pilots who

helped to establish the reputation of the Typhoon in the ground

attack role and it is thought that these sharkmouth markings

were applied to this aircraft in recognition of this tenacious

flying style. Significantly, this aircraft flew operationally

during WWII whilst wearing these markings

Contenido

1 x Aircraft, 1x Stand