Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum

Museum Location

The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, located in Denver, Colorado, is a treasure trove for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs. Housed in the historic hangar of the former Lowry Air Force Base, the museum just celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of preserving aviation history.

A Grand Welcome

Visitors are greeted by an iconic Boeing B-52B Stratofortress positioned as if taking off in front of the museum’s main entrance, which resembles an airport control tower. This striking display sets the stage for the incredible exhibits inside.

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Diverse Aircraft Collection

The museum boasts a diverse collection of over 50 aircraft, ranging from vintage planes to modern jets. The collection even includes a ¾ scale replica of Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing fighter from Star Wars, complete with dozens of crew and cast signatures on its fuselage and guarded by none other than R2-D2 nestled behind the cockpit.

Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter

The Majestic Rockwell B-1A Lancer

The largest aircraft in the museum’s hangar is the Rockwell B-1A Lancer, a high-altitude supersonic bomber. Only four prototypes were built before the project was canceled, and the museum’s Lancer Model A is one of only two on display worldwide. Today, all operational Lancer bombers are the B-1B model, designed for low-level and lower speed flight.

Rockwell B-1A Lancer

The Unique Douglas B-18A Bolo

One of the most unique airplanes in the museum is the Douglas B-18A Bolo, a twin-engine heavy bomber that first flew in April 1935. The Bolo on display was used as a trainer during World War II and later served as a cargo aircraft, aerial sprayer, and survey aircraft. In 1959, it was confiscated by the US Border Patrol while running guns for Fidel Castro.

Douglas B-18A Bolo

Military Marvels

The museum’s collection includes several notable military jets including a Republic RF-84K Thunderflash, North American F-86H Sabre, North American F-100D Super Sabre, Ling-Temco-Vought A-7D Corsair II, Lockheed F-104C Starfighter, Grumman EA-6B Prowler, General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark, and a recently acquired Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD Flogger.

General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark

Cold War Icons

Two of the most famous Cold War fighters on display are a McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II and a Grumman F-14A Tomcat, the latter of which gained iconic status through its starring role in the 1986 Top Gun movie featuring Tom Cruise.

Grumman F-14A Tomcat

Civilian Aircraft Highlights

The museum also features an interesting array of civilian aircraft, including an Aerospatiale AS316 Alouette III helicopter, a 1929 Alexander Eaglerock, the Adam M-309 designed by Burt Rutan, Aviat Special, Christen Eagle II, Piper J3C-65 Cub, Rand Robinson KR-1, Learjet 24, and a Bede BD-5 with a striking Blue Angels livery.

Bede BD-5B

Innovative Designs

One of the most unique civilian aircraft in the collection is the Ball-Bartoe Jetwing, an experimental plane designed by Pete Bartoe in the mid-1970s. This one-of-a-kind aircraft experimented with increasing lift by blowing the turbofan engine exhaust over the upper surfaces of the wings, allowing it to fly at speeds ranging from an astonishing 40 mph to about 400 mph.

Ball-Bartoe JW-1 Jetwing

Space Exploration

The museum also boasts a full-scale non-flying mockup of the HL-20 Personnel Launch System, a NASA crewed orbital mission spaceplane concept. This mockup was built by SpaceDev. Sierra Space, which acquired SpaceDev, is working on the Dream Chaser spaceplane based on the HL-20 concept.

HL-20 Dream Chaser Personnel Launch System

Speeding on Land

The “Spirit of America – Sonic Arrow,” adventurer Steve Fossett’s jet engine-powered car, is another highlight. This incredible vehicle, powered by a GE J79 engine originally from an F-4 Phantom II, reached a speed of 675 mph in 1996. Steve Fossett, a holder of many sailing, ballooning, and other aviation records, tragically died in 2007 while piloting his plane.

Steve Fossett’s Spirit of America – Sonic Arrow

Interactive Experiences

The museum’s interactive exhibits, including flight simulators and hands-on stations, offer visitors a chance to engage with aviation history. Additionally, the museum provides aerospace-themed STEM experiences for middle and high school students, fostering a new generation of aviation enthusiasts.

Boeing 727 cockpit

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