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

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Lowry - Denver

Air & Space Museum

Upcoming Events

Saturday Jun 28
10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Exploration of Flight (Centennial Airport)

Warbird Invasion

Warbird Invasion
Saturday, Jun 28, 2025 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

The invasion is about to begin! Join us to see various types of warbirds on static display at Wings Over the Rockies™ Exploration of Flight. Featured aircraft will include a USAF O2-A, Boeing Stearman, 1943 Beechcraft 18 UC-45J/SNB-5 “Sonoran Beauty”, Yakovlev Yak-52 and more!* Get up close to these incredible machines, meet the pilots who fly them, and enjoy games, activities and live music by Bianca and the Flyboys.

Don’t miss special guest speaker, Bill Scott, author of the biography “Earthquake: Brigadier General Robert F. Titus”. He will give a short presentation about the book followed by a Q&A and book signing.**

Get Tickets!

Schedule:
10:00 a.m.: Doors open
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Music by Bianca and the Flyboys
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Presentation by Bill Scott on Hangar Floor
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Q&A and Book Signing by Bill Scott in Classroom

Food Trucks: Q’s Quisine & Pozzetti Gelato & Coffee
Food is not included with admission.

Photo (above) courtesy of Barbara Hoversten.
*Featured aircraft is subject to change.
**Books will be available for purchase. Bill will only be signing his book at this event and no other items. 

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

Breakfast Fly-In

Breakfast Fly-In
Saturday, Jul 12, 2025 | 9:30AM to 12:30PM

Join Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight for monthly fly-ins featuring planes, pilots, speakers and breakfast*!

On the second Saturday of every month, enjoy breakfast from a local food truck, watch aircraft fly in and explore interactive exhibits and simulators. Plus, this month check out sleek cars on display from the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club.

Pre-Purchase Tickets

*Weather permitting. Aircraft on display are subject to change. Food is not included with admission.

Saturday Jul 12
10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Air & Space Museum

Cockpit Demo Day

Cockpit Demo Day
Saturday, Jul 12, 2025 | 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Get an up close look inside select aircraft at the museum and learn all about the history of the aircraft, instruments and controls!

Featured Aircraft in July*:

  • Velocity
  • North American F-100D Super Sabre
  • Bell UH-1M Iroquois “Huey” (Wheelchair accessible)
  • Apollo Boilerplate
  • Vought A-7D Corsair II

Pre-Purchase Tickets

*Featured aircraft are subject to change. 

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