In the early 1980s, the US Navy sought ways to make the giant F-14 less visible during close-range air combat. The answer was the radical "Ferris" (or Splinter) camouflage, a geometric pattern of sharp gray tones designed to break up the aircraft's silhouette and confuse the enemy's perception of distance and attitude. F-14A BuNo 161290 was one of the rare aircraft chosen to test this paint scheme, transforming the elegant fleet defender into a visually aggressive predator difficult to track with the naked eye.

VF-1 "Wolfpack" Squadron, the first to operate the Tomcat, has always been synonymous with tradition and leadership. However, seeing a "Wolfpack" jet (tail code NE 104) sporting this experimental camouflage scheme is a unique historical event. Operating around 1983, this aircraft participated in tactical evaluations that would define the future of naval paint schemes. This is the "Pack Leader" wearing his most exotic war uniform, completely deviating from the standard Light Gull Gray of the time.

Alexandre Guedes recreated this complex scheme with millimeter precision. The horizontal artwork highlights the dark gray (FS 36118) and medium gray "splinters" that cut across the fuselage and wings, creating an optical illusion of distortion. Even under the heavy camouflage, the low-visibility VF-1 markings and the NE 104 code are there, preserving the unit's identity. It's a piece of visual study that shows the Tomcat not as a movie hero, but as a stealthy and lethal combat machine.

Premium Finish for a Complex Camouflage:

Landscape Format (42 x 30 cm): Horizontal orientation is required to appreciate how the geometric lines of the camouflage interact with the variable geometry of the Tomcat's wings.

Color Definition: The 250g coated paper with a semi-gloss finish ensures that the different shades of gray in the Splinter scheme have sharp contrast and separation, without excessive gloss obscuring the subtle details of the painting.

Historical Record: A rare and technically faithful illustration, signed by Alexandre Guedes, capturing a brief and fascinating moment in the history of naval aviation.

Technical Specifications:

Artist: Alexandre Guedes

Aircraft: Grumman F-14A Tomcat

Squadron: VF-1 "Wolfpack"

Registration: BuNo 161290 (NE 104)

Painting Style: Experimental "Ferris" / Splinter (Aggressor style)

Period: Circa 1983

Size: 42 x 30 cm (Horizontal Format/A3)

Paper: Premium Coated Paper, 250g

Finish: Semi-gloss

Printing: High-definition laser

Note: Frame not included.