Air & Space Museum

General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark

General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark

The F-111 is probably one of the most controversial aircraft in US Military history and despite a number of problems in its early development, it became one of the most formidable strike aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory. Designed as a multi-role strike fighter, the F-111 pioneered many new technologies, including variable sweep wings to provide optimum performance at all speeds, and a terrain-following radar system which allowed it to fly at very low level and high speed over a changing terrain. However, an attempt to turn it into an interceptor was an expensive failure.

The museum displays the FB-111A version, which was specially designed as a strategic bomber, carrying nuclear weapons at high speed and over long ranges. Seventy-six of this model were built to bridge the gap between the retirement of the B-58 Hustler and the arrival of the B-1 Lancer. After the B-1 entered service, the Air Force retired the FB-111s or modified them as F-111Gs for tactical bombing. The Air Force never gave the F-111 family of aircraft an official name while in service, but airmen dubbed it the “Aardvark” because of its oddly-shaped nose. The Air Force finally formalized the Aardvark name on the day it was retired.

The FB-111A on display served with the Strategic Air Command at Carswell, Plattsburgh, and Pease Air Force Bases before coming to Lowry Air Force Base in 1990 as a weapons loading trainer. It is on loan to Wings Over the Rockies from the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Air & Space Museum Air & Space Museum

Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

Upcoming Events

Sep 5 - Sep 6
10:00AM TO 5:00PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Warbird Weekend

Warbird Weekend
Saturday, Sep 5, 2026 | 10:00AM to Sunday, Sep 6, 2026 | 5:00PM

Bringing aviation to life, this two-day event* will provide a rare opportunity to experience aerospace history and give you the chance to take flight in a WWII-era aircraft!

This showcase will give guests rare, up-close access to remarkable airplanes. It includes guided ground tours, interactions with aviation experts, a museum-member-only coffee hour, and flight rides. Beyond the featured exhibits, there will also be family-friendly public programming activities related to warbirds and a presentation exploring their historical significance.

The featured aircraft on display and available for flight rides will be the TBM Avenger, which is an 80-year-old aircraft and flying museum, and the CAF MHW SNB Sonoran Beauty. Additional airplanes include the Trojan T-28A. Even more warbirds will be out on our tarmac and on display, plus more surprises!

You can also explore the Duty of Memory pop-up exhibit, which tells the history behind the only American WWII cemetery in the Netherlands. In 1945, people of the southern Netherlands Limburg region began a grave adoption program for soldiers buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery. These Dutch families have cared for and visited every grave for over 80 years. Eighty troops from Colorado are also buried at this cemetery in Margraten, NL. The project aims to build awareness of this story and connect descendants of these Coloradoan soldiers with the organizations facilitating relationships between American and Dutch families. The grave adopters hope to find and connect with all the families while working to preserve the soldiers’ memories and information.

Timeline of Events:

  • Open on Sep 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Museum Member-Only Hour open on Sep 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • Sep 6 public admission open from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Flight rides are available from 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. See more info below.

Purchase Tickets:

Take a Flight:

Food Trucks:

*General admission discounts, including community passes and ASTC Passport Program reciprocal admission, do not apply to this special event. Aircraft and activities are subject to change. Food is not included with admission. Flights are limited and may sell out quickly.

Saturday Sep 12
9:30AM TO 12:30PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Breakfast Fly-In

Breakfast Fly-In
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026 | 9:30AM to 12:30PM

Check out Corvettes and start your Saturday with tasty food, aircraft, and unique cars at our monthly Breakfast Fly-In!*

Start your engines at this family-friendly event where we feature special activities in addition to our usual events, including:

  • Explore local vintage vehicles courtesy of the Central Colorado Corvette Club
  • Chat with the drivers and hear their stories
  • Take a seat in both cars and airplanes
  • Watch aircraft fly in and out on our tarmac and meet the pilots

See you soon for this family-friendly event!

Buy Tickets

Pilots – Fly in for free breakfast! For tie-down space, contact PublicPrograms@WingsMuseum.org or 303.360.5360 ext. 160.

Food Trucks: Cooper’s Coffee & Wafflerita

*Weather permitting. Aircraft and activities are subject to change. Food is not included with admission.

Saturday Sep 19
10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Air & Space Museum

Cockpit Demo Day

Cockpit Demo Day
Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Have you ever wanted to get an up-close look inside your favorite aircraft?

At this event, you’ll be able to explore select cockpits and learn about aircraft you never knew existed. Each station has a knowledgeable volunteer who can tell you all about the exhibit, its history, and answer questions. Our options rotate monthly, so every visit is unique!

Featured aircraft in September*:

Pre-Purchase Tickets

Can’t make this one? Join us next month on October 17!

*Featured aircraft are subject to change.

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F-22 on the Tarmac at Exploration of Flight