F-14 Tomcat Fighter Jet Arrived in Pueblo

The historic aircraft completed a 2,700-mile journey from Florida to the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Air Travel

Screen-print poster illustration of a fighter jet fuselage on a tarmac, evoking the history of the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum.
A historic F-14 Tomcat fighter jet arrived at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum on September 23, 2026, following a 2,700-mile transit. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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An F-14 Tomcat fighter plane officially reached the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum on September 23, 2026. The arrival marks the conclusion of a 2,700-mile cross-country transport operation from Pensacola, Florida.

Why it matters

The addition of the F-14 complements the museum's existing collection, allowing the facility to display three generations of iconic American fighter jets side by side. It represents a significant expansion of the museum's static aviation exhibits.

The transport of the 22-foot-wide fuselage cost $245,000 and spanned 2,700 miles across 11 states over two weeks. The museum already holds an F-15 and an F-16 in its current collection.

The players

Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum

This facility is located in Pueblo, Colorado, and specializes in preserving military aircraft and aviation history.

Worldwide Aircraft Recovery

This company provides specialized logistics and transport services for large-scale aviation hardware and sensitive military equipment.

The details

Worldwide Aircraft Recovery managed the complex move, which required shipping the wings and auxiliary parts to the site before the fuselage arrived by truck. The jet is now prepared for a public display period before entering a long-term restoration phase.

Timeline

  1. September 9, 2026: The aircraft departed Florida for transport.

  2. September 23, 2026: The plane arrived at the museum at 8:00 a.m.

  3. Next 6 months: The plane will be on outdoor display.

  4. 12 to 18 months: The estimated duration of the upcoming refurbishing process.

Travel Outlook

This acquisition aligns with the broader seasonal and operational growth strategy at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum. The museum continues to curate its collection to offer a comprehensive look at aviation history, mirroring the efforts of similar regional historical institutions.

Visitors to Pueblo can view the F-14 on outdoor display for the next six months before it is moved to a hangar for refurbishment. Tourists should check the museum schedule for any specific viewing restrictions during the initial display period.

The takeaway

The arrival of the F-14 offers aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to view the aircraft in its original state before it undergoes professional restoration. Future visitors should plan for a lengthy 12 to 18-month period where the jet may be inaccessible during the refurbishing process.

Further reading

For more on local aviation initiatives, see Air Travel.

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