23.My, What Lovely Teeth You Have
To be sincere, we have no idea what's going on. We know just that this is a Skyvan 3-100 Short SC-7. You won't be able to identify it unless you examine closely. Its colour scheme is odd, lips are strange, and one tooth is absent. So let's go forward, then?
Even for aficionados of aviation, the aircraft shown in this picture is somewhat unusual. The boxy and utilitarian appearance of the Skyvan 3-100 Short SC-7 has been turned into a quirky character by an unusual paint job. The cartoonish face painted on the front of the aeroplane, replete with overdone lips and a set of teeth that seems to be absent one tooth, is especially arresting.
This unusual livery transforms the usually no-nonsense cargo jet into a soaring piece of art likely to make people stop wherever it travels. Almost giving the aeroplane a pleasant, gap-toothed smile, the missing tooth gives it a bit of humour and character. Its lively colour scheme, which contrasts sharply with other aircraft's subdued tones, accentuates its whimsical character even more.
Although the reason for this unusual design decision is not obvious, it most definitely helps to make the aircraft memorable. It might be the outcome of an owner with exceptional sense of humour, a marketing effort, or a memorable event. Whatever the cause, this Skyvan 3-100 Short SC-7 is a perfect illustration of how imaginative paint jobs can totally change the character of an aircraft, turning even the most utilitarian of planes into a flying conversation piece.
