Air & Space Museum
McDonnell initially created the F-4 Phantom II for the US Navy in 1958 to provide defensive “top cover” for the fleet, however, the F-4 went on to serve with the Air Force, Marines, and 15 other nations around the world. It has served as an interceptor, a fighter, a bomber, a close-support attack aircraft, a reconnaissance aircraft, an air defense suppression platform, and as a target drone. As of 2022, four air forces are still flying the Phantom, 64 years after the first F-4 flew.
Like other interceptors of the time, the F-4 was designed around an all-missile armament system with the expectation that air combat would take place at a distance. American pilots learned in the Vietnam War that air-to-air combat quickly degenerated into close-in dogfights, where the Phantom was at a disadvantage because its missiles had to fly a certain distance before they were armed. To make the F-4 more effective in these dogfights, the Air Force had McDonnell Douglas design the F-4E model with a multi-barrel 20mm rotary cannon in the nose.
In addition to the Vietnam War, Phantoms saw combat in the Middle East with the Israeli Air Force, in the wars between Iran and Iraq, and in Operation Desert Storm.
The F-4E Phantom II at Wings served with the US Air Force in several testing projects at Edwards, Wright Patterson, and MacDill AFBs before being transferred to Lowry AFB in 1982 for use as a munitions loading trainer. It is on loan from the National Museum of the US Air Force.
Aircraft specifications:
Wingspan: 38 ft 5 in (11.7 m)
Length: 63 ft (19.2 m)
Maximum speed: Mach 2.23 (1,473 mph; 2,371 km/h)
Maximum weight: 41,500 lb (18,824 kg)
Seats: 2
Engines: two GE J79-GE-17 turbojets
Total thrust: 35,690 lb (with afterburner)
Lowry - Denver
Air & Space Museum
| Monday | 10am-5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am-5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am-5pm |
| Thursday | 10am-5pm |
| Friday | 10am-5pm |
| Saturday | 10am-5pm |
| Sunday | 12pm-5pm |
Address:
7711 East Academy Blvd Denver, CO 80230
E: info@wingsmuseum.org
P: 303-360-5360
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Learn more about our exhibits, programs, and simulators at our world-class museum. Read more
Upcoming Events
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Friday Jul 5
3:30PM TO 5:00PM
Friday, Jul 5, 2024 | 3:30PM to 5:00PM
Join us at the Air & Space Museum for a talk and book signing with former NASA astronaut Tom Jones! He will share his incredible experiences in space, as well as sign copies of his book “Space Shuttle Stories”.
Presentation: 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Book Signing: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
VIP Hour: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Learn more below.)
VIP Hour
Purchase a $40 ticket for the exclusive VIP hour with Tom Jones from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. including hors d’oeurves, beer and wine. Limited number of tickets available, purchase yours today!
Wings Members and Veterans receive 12% off VIP tickets.
Tom will only be signing his book at this event and no other items. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
For museum visitors – this event is included with price of admission (excluding VIP Hour).
Learn More
Saturday Jul 6
10:00AM TO 5:00PM
Saturday, Jul 6, 2024 | 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Join us at Exploration of Flight for a fair at the airport! Enjoy carnival games and see aircraft, cars, drones, impressive models and aviation photography on display, and even take an airplane ride. Featured aircraft will include a Boeing Stearman, Sonoran Beauty, Bellanca Decathlon Xtreme and more. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind family event where the magic of the fair meets the wonders of aviation!
Snow cones will be for sale for cash only.
Enjoy delicious food from local food trucks!*
Saturday, July 6: Q’s Cuisine
Sunday, July 7: Mukja
*Food is not included with admission.
Schedule for Saturday, July 6th:
10:00 a.m.: Doors Open
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: South Metro firetrucks
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Colorado Aviation Photographers will be present to discuss their art and sell prints
11:30 a.m.: Drone Soccer Demo by Wings’ own Predator team
12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.: RC Aircraft Demos (roughly 15 minutes each)
Photo above courtesy of Barbara Hoversten.
Learn More
Sunday Jul 7
10:00AM TO 3:00PM
Sunday, Jul 7, 2024 | 10:00AM to 3:00PM
Join us at Exploration of Flight for a fair at the airport! Enjoy carnival games and see aircraft, cars, drones, impressive models and aviation photography on display, and even take an airplane ride. Featured aircraft will include a Boeing Stearman, Sonoran Beauty, Bellanca Decathlon Xtreme and more. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind family event where the magic of the fair meets the wonders of aviation!
Snow cones will be for sale for cash only.
Enjoy delicious food from local food trucks!*
Saturday, July 6: Q’s Cuisine
Sunday, July 7: Mukja
*Food is not included with admission.
Schedule for Sunday, July 7th:
10:00 a.m.: Doors Open
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Colorado Aviation Photographers will be present to discuss their art and sell prints
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Curiosity Cruiser from Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Magic shows throughout the dayby THE MAGIC OF CHRISTOPHER MANOS
Photo above courtesy of Barbara Hoversten.
Learn More
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