Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
{{Short description|Aerospace museum in Denver, Colorado, USA}}
{{Infobox museum
| logo = Front of Wings Over the Rockies.jpg
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| map_type = Colorado
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| coordinates = {{coord|39.7210|-104.8957|display=inline,title}}
| former_name = The Lowry Heritage Museum (1984-1994)
| established = {{start date|1994|12|01|df=y}}
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| location = 7711 E. Academy Blvd Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Lowry Campus
(formerly Lowry Air Force Base)
| type = Aerospace museum
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| collections = Lowry Air Force Base history
Colorado aerospace history
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| ceo = John L. Barry, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret)
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| curator = Chuck Stout
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| publictransit = Regional Transportation District
| parking = On-site (no charge)
| website = {{URL|wingsmuseum.org}}
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The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (WOTR) is located on the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, United States. The museum preserves the history of Lowry AFB's operations from 1938 to 1994 in its collections, archives, and research library.
History
From 1937 to 1994 Lowry Air Force Base, located on the eastern edge of Denver, was primarily a technical training center. It graduated more than 1.1 million enlisted members and officers in skills ranging from armament to photography, aiding the country's war efforts in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. From the 1980s Lowry Air Force Base remained one of Colorado's largest employers, with approximately 10,000 military and civilian men and women, providing an economic impact approaching $1 billion annually.{{cn|date=August 2023}}
In 1994, the United States Air Force transferred Hangar 1 to a group of volunteers, who established Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. The Museum includes more than 182,000 square feet of hangar space and 50 aircraft dating from 1939 to 1990.{{cn|date=August 2023}}
In 1997, the Colorado State Legislature passed House Bill 1269 that made Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Colorado's official air and space museum,[https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/1997a_sl_38.pdf State.CO.US Legislature: House Bill 97-1269] and the site of the Colorado Aviation Historical Society's Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame.
After eight years, the museum's CEO, John Barry, announced his retirement in June 2021.{{cite news |last1=Grigsby |first1=Deborah |title=Wings Over the Rockies CEO to retire, but really doesn’t plan on leaving |url=http://www.denvergazette.com/news/local/wings-over-rockies-ceo-to-retire/article_d2ea2eac-2f47-11ef-bda4-dfdc5a7e83af.html |access-date=26 November 2024 |work=Denver Gazette |date=21 June 2024}}
Facilities
"Exploration of Flight" is a {{cvt|15|acre|adj=on}} campus located at Centennial Airport that serves as the second location of Wings Over the Rockies.{{cite web |title=Exploration of Flight |url=http://www.wingsmuseum.org/visit/locations/exploration-of-flight |website=Wings Over the Rockies |access-date=25 July 2023}} It houses future-focused aviation and space galleries and exhibits.
Exhibits
File:Casis - Science in Space Exhibit at Wings Over the Rockies.jpg
File:Westinghouse J46 on display at Wings Over Rockies Museum.JPG cutaway engine]]
- Space Station Freedom command module mockup built by Martin Marietta with CASIS' Science in Space Exhibit of the ISS
- U.S. NASA Astronauts with Colorado connections.{{cite web |title=Colorado's Astronauts |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/colorados-astronauts |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=3 November 2020}}
- Aircraft engine collection on display, both propeller and jet engines
- Nuclear weapons collection on display
- The Aviator Uniform Collection Exhibit Room.
- The Cold War Exhibit.
- The History of Avionics Exhibit Room.
- The Colorado Air National Guard Heritage Exhibit Room with Buckley Field and Buckley Air Force Base exhibits.
- The Colorado Aviation Historical Society's Heritage Hall featuring the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame.
- Rocky Mountain Airways Flight 217 Memorial{{cite news |last1=Pankratz |first1=Howard |date=March 5, 2009 |title=1978 plane crash recalled in new exhibit |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/03/05/1978-plane-crash-recalled-in-new-exhibit/ |access-date=October 31, 2024 |work=The Denver Post}}
- Former United Airlines DC-10 and Boeing 727-200 cockpits
- Lucasfilm X-Wing Starfighter: a 3/4 scale replica built to promote the re-release of the first three Star Wars films in 1997.{{cite web |title=Star Wars™ X-Wing Starfighter |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/starfighter |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=3 November 2020}}
- MaxFlight: a 360° full-motion flight simulator.
Collection
= Military =
File:B-1A Lancer at Wings Over the Rockies.jpg
File:F-105D Wings Museum Colo.JPG
{{Div col}}
- Beechcraft UC-45 Expeditor 42-37496{{cite web |title=1943 UC-45 Expeditor |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1943-uc-45-expeditor |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801123641/http://wingsmuseum.org/1943-uc-45-expeditor |archive-date=1 August 2016}}
- Boeing GB-52B Stratofortress 52-0005{{cite web|title=B-52 Stratofortress|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/b-52-stratofortress|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|date=4 November 2016|publisher=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=31 January 2017}}
- Cessna U-3 57-5894{{cite web |title=1960 U-3A Blue Canoe |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1960-u-3a-blue-canoe |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801015316/http://wingsmuseum.org/1960-u-3a-blue-canoe |archive-date=1 August 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger 56-0984{{cite web |title=1963 F102A Delta Dagger |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1963-f102a-delta-dagger |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707011832/http://wingsmuseum.org/1963-f102a-delta-dagger |archive-date=7 July 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
- Douglas B-18A Bolo 39-25{{cite web|title=Douglas B-18 Bolo|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/douglas-b-18-bolo|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|date=4 November 2016|publisher=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=31 January 2017}}
- General Dynamics FB-111A 68-0287{{cite web |title=General Dynamics FB-111A Aardvark |url=http://www.wingsmuseum.org/exhibits/general-dynamics-fb-111a-aardvark |website=Wings Over the Rockies |access-date=25 July 2023}}{{Failed verification|date=July 2023}}
- Grumman F-14A Tomcat 159829{{cite web|title=F-14 Tomcat|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/f-14-tomcat|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|date=4 November 2016|publisher=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=31 January 2017}}
- Lockheed F-104C Starfighter 56-0910{{cite web|title=F-104 Starfighter|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/f-104-starfighter-2|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|date=4 November 2016|publisher=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=31 January 2017}}
- Lockheed T-33A 56-1710{{cite web |title=1952 T-33A T-Bird |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1952-t-33a-t-bird |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906155116/http://wingsmuseum.org/1952-t-33a-t-bird |archive-date=6 September 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
- LTV A-7D Corsair II 73-0996 "Speedwell"{{cite web |title=1972 Corsair II |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1972-corsair-ii |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003022727/http://wingsmuseum.org/1972-corsair-ii |archive-date=3 October 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
- Martin EB-57E Canberra 55-4293{{cite web |title=1950 B-57 Canberra |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1950-b-57-canberra |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823132015/http://wingsmuseum.org/1950-b-57-canberra |archive-date=23 August 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
- McDonnell F-101B Voodoo 58-0271{{cite web |title=1962 F101B Voodoo |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1962-f101b-voodoo |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823132120/http://wingsmuseum.org/1962-f101b-voodoo |archive-date=23 August 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
- McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II 66-0286 "Julie"{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}
- North American F-86H Sabre 53-1308{{cite web|title=F-86H Sabre|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/f-86h-sabre-2|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|publisher=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=31 January 2017}}
- North American F-100D Super Sabre 56-3417{{cite web|title=F-100 Super Sabre|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/f-100-super-sabre-2|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|date=4 November 2016|publisher=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=31 January 2017}}
- Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler{{cite web|title=EA-6B Prowler|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/ea-6b-prowler-2|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|date=4 November 2016|publisher=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=31 January 2017}}
- Republic F-105D Thunderchief 60-0508{{cite web |title=1965 F105-D Thunderchief |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1965-f105-d-thunderchief |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906145559/http://wingsmuseum.org/1965-f105-d-thunderchief |archive-date=6 September 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
- Republic RF-84K Thunderflash 52-7266{{cite web |title=1955 RF-84K Thunderflash |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1955-rf-84k-thunderflash |website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902034024/http://wingsmuseum.org/1955-rf-84k-thunderflash |archive-date=2 September 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=November 2020}}
- Rockwell B-1A 74-0160{{cite web|title=B-1A Lancer|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/b-1a-lancer|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|date=4 November 2016|publisher=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=31 January 2017}}
- Schweizer TG-4 92-1541{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}
{{Div col end}}
= Civilian =
File:McDonnell Apollo Boilerplate BP-1101A Capsule.jpg
- [[Aérospatiale Alouette III | Aerospatiale AS316
- Alexander Eaglerock{{cite web |title=Alexander Eaglerock |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/exhibits/alexander-eaglerock/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=2023 |access-date=11 May 2023}}
- Adam M-309 (No. N309A){{cite web |title=Adam A500 |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/exhibits/adam-m309/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=2023 |access-date=11 May 2023}}
- Aviat Special (No. N15JB)
- Ball-Bartoe Jetwing
- Christen Eagle II (No. N6LA)
- HL-20 Personnel Launch System{{cite web |title=Dream Chaser |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/dream-chaser |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=2023 |access-date=11 May 2023}} on loan
- Learjet 24{{cite web |title=Lear Jet 24 |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/exhibits/lear-jet-24/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=3 November 2020}} (No. N241JA). donated by Lynn Krogh of International Jet
- Murray Model T homebuilt helicopter, 1st to register in Colo. (No. N7222)
- Piper J3C-65 Cub (No. N42427)
- Rand Robinson KR-1 (No. N60BV)
- Schweizer SGS 1-24 Brigadoon, on loan from National Soaring Museum (No. N91888){{cite web |title=Sailplanes in Our Collection |url=http://www.soaringmuseum.org/collection.html |website=National Soaring Museum |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619013659/http://soaringmuseum.org/collection.html |archive-date=19 June 2004}}
- Sky Star Aircraft Corp Kitfox
- Aerosport Woody Pusher (No. N393EA)
=Space=
- McDonnell Apollo Boilerplate BP-1101A{{cite web |title=BP-1101 "Boilerplate" Capsule |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/exhibits/apollo-command-module-boilerplate/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=23 July 2015 |access-date=3 November 2020}} (No. 101), on loan from Smithsonian
- HL-20 Personnel Launch System "Dream Chaser" {{cite web |title=Dream Chaser® |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/dream-chaser |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=3 November 2020}} on loan
- Centaur Upper Stage{{cite web |title=Centaur Upper Stage |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/exhibits/centaur-upper-stage/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=3 November 2020}}
Programs
File:Wings Over the Rockies birds eye view 2023.jpg
Wings Aerospace Pathways offers instruction to middle and high school students on aviation and engineering through hands-on aerospace-themed STEM experiences.{{cite web |title=Wings Aerospace Pathways |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/education/wings-aerospace-pathways/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}}
- Pilot Pathway offers Young Eagles, a program created by the Experimental Aircraft Association, to introduce students ages 8 to 17 to aviation by giving them their first free ride in an airplane. The program also includes the ground school workshop, which offers basic pilot training.{{cite web |title=Pilot Pathway |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/pilot-pathway/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}} Wings Over the Rockies flight training scholarships are provided by the James C. Ray Foundation for Colorado students ages 15 to 18.{{cite web |title=James C. Ray Foundation Scholarship |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-Applicant-Expectations-1.13.23.pdf#:~:text=The%20James%20C.%20Ray%20Foundation%20provides%20funding%20for,provides%20important%20dates%2C%20contacts%2C%20and%20qualifications%20for%20applicants. |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}}
- Drone Pilot Pathway includes an introductory drone flight course and visual line of sight (VLOS) training to earn a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, which allows an operator to fly drones commercially. Field training is also offered.{{cite web |title=Drone Pilot Pathway |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/drone-pilot-pathway/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}}
The Teacher Flight Program encourages STEM Colorado teachers to become Teacher Envoys and provides a free, 20-minute flight.{{cite web |title=Teacher Flight Program |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/education/teacher-flight-pathway/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=4 November 2016 |access-date=3 November 2020}}
The Technical Research Library contains over 15,000 book titles on aviation and aerospace and 800 titles covering ballooning, aviation and aerospace in English and other languages. Extensive documents about Lowry Air Force Base history include over 1,000 digital photos of the base. The library also has vintage airline tables, seat magazines and a collection of rare NASA documents.
The museum produces a television show, "Behind the Wings", that airs on Rocky Mountain PBS. It teaches museum visitors and viewers about the history, innovation and future of aviation.{{cite web |title=Wings Over the Rockies Secures TV Show on Rocky Mountain PBS |url=http://wingsmuseum.org/wings-over-the-rockies-secures-tv-show-on-rocky-mountain-pbs |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 November 2020}}{{cite web |title=Behind the Wings Podcast |url=https://wingsmuseum.org/resources/podcasts/ |website=Wings Over the Rockies |date=2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}}
See also
- CAF Rocky Mountain Wing Museum, Grand Junction, Colorado
- Colorado Aviation Historical Society, Denver, Colorado
- Peterson Air and Space Museum, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society, Pueblo, Colorado
- Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Pueblo, Colorado
- Spirit of Flight Center, Lafayette, Colorado
- Vintage Aero Flying Museum, Hudson, Colorado
;Related lists
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://www.wingsmuseum.org}}
- [https://airmuseumguide.com/aviation-museums/usa/colorado/wings-over-the-rockies-air-and-space-museum/ Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum] post on [https://airmuseumguide.com/ AirMuseumGuide.com]
{{Colorado}}
{{Denver}}
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