Air & Space Museum

Lockheed F-104C Starfighter

Lockheed F-104C Starfighter

When Kelly Johnson and his engineers at the secret “Skunk Works” designed the F-104 in 1952, they wanted a high-altitude interceptor with lots of speed, a high rate of climb, and a quick reaction time. Those objectives helped guide them to the classic shape of this Cold War fighter. The Air Force didn’t even know they needed an airplane like the F-104… Lockheed submitted their unsolicited proposal, THEN the Air Force wrote the operational requirements!

The F-104 Starfighter is a high-performance interceptor that served the U.S. Air Force during the 1950s and 1960s. Designed on feedback from U.S. pilots in Korea, the F-104’s lightweight design emphasized maneuverability in early models, but its high performance demanded precise, careful piloting, and it had a high accident rate. The F-104A set altitude records of 91,243 feet in 1958 and 103,395 feet in 1959. In 1958 Lockheed introduced a fighter-bomber version, the F-104C.

The one at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum is an F-104C fighter-bomber, one of two aircraft in the Wings collection that have flown in combat. It flew with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron from Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War.

This airplane is on loan from the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Aircraft specifications:
Wingspan: 21 ft 9 in
Length:54 ft 8 in
Maximum speed: Mach 2.2, or 1,450 mph (2,334 km/h) above 40,000 ft (12.2 km)
Initial climb rate: 48,000 fpm (244 m/s)
Crew: One
Engine: General Electric J-79 turbojet
Thrust: 10,000 lbf (44.5 kN), 15,800 lbf (70.3 kN) with afterburner

Air & Space Museum Air & Space Museum

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

Upcoming Events

Saturday Mar 30
9:30AM TO 5:15PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Navy Showcase + “Top Gun: Maverick” Movie & Speaker

Navy Showcase + “Top Gun: Maverick” Movie & Speaker
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 | 9:30AM to 5:15PM

Join Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport for a full day showcase of Navy aircraft, along with an afternoon showing of “Top Gun: Maverick”!

Scott Kartvedt, a combat-decorated Blue Angel and stunt pilot for “Maverick” will be giving a special talk prior to the movie along with a Q&A session after the movie concludes. Aircraft on display will include an F-18, SNJ, T-34, SGS2-32 Navy Glider and more!

Food Truck*: 2 Salty Sarges
*Food is not included with admission.

Purchase Tickets

Limited seating available, pre-purchase tickets are required.

Ticket Pricing:
Adult: $20
Military/1st Responder/Senior: $15
Child: $10
Wings’ Member Adult: $15*
Wings’ Member Military/1st Responder/Senior: $10*
Wings’ Member Child: $5*
*Wings’ Members: Sign in to receive your discount. 

Photo above courtesy of Barbara Hoversten.

Saturday Mar 30
10:00AM TO 1:30PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Private Pilot Ground School Begins

Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 | 10:00AM to 1:30PM

Saturdays 3/30/24 – 5/18/24
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

This 8-week Ground School will cover the subject areas of the FAA Private Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. 

This course is taught by Certified Instructors, and materials are included! Classroom ground instruction offers a great way to start training as efficiently and economically as possible, providing a significant cost savings versus one-on-one lessons.

This session is full with a waitlist. To join the waitlist, please click here.

Topics include:

  • Aircraft Systems
  • Aerodynamics
  • Airports and Airspace
  • Flight Physiology
  • Performance Calculations
  • Navigation
  • And More!

Pricing:

Non-Member | $350.00 per registrant

Member | $300.00 per registrant

 

Please Note:

Students should bring a notebook and/or a personal device for notetaking.

Participants must be 14 years or older.

Monday Apr 1
2:00PM TO 5:00PM
Air & Space Museum

Sensory Friendly Hours

Sensory Friendly Hours
Monday, Apr 1, 2024 | 2:00PM to 5:00PM

Join us to experience the museum turned down and participate in sensory friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, discovery carts, STEAM and sensory activities and more!

We are pleased to offer a more comfortable museum experience for our friends who have sensory processing sensitivities and their families. We welcome families with children, teenagers and adults on the autism spectrum, with sensory processing disorders and other cognitive disabilities to experience our museum in a lower sensory environment.

Admission is FREE for children or adults with sensory processing sensitivities and their families. Please pre-register at the link below.

Register Here

Click here to learn more about accessibility, amenities and view a social narrative and map for your visit to the Air & Space Museum.

Get updates and special offers

Sign up for our newsletter, and stay up to date with all of the latest exhibits and events at Wings Over the Rockies.

Warbird Jet - Wings Museum