Sometimes a job is about far more than the bottom line.
Cass Precision Machining was honored to recently volunteer their time, material, and machines to produce a part for the Commemorative Air Force Airbase, located in Mesa, Arizona.
The Commemorative Air Force are flight museums dedicated to the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans with a fleet of historic aircraft that recreate, remind, and reinforce the lessons learned from the defining moments in American military aviation history.
With a mission to educate, inspire, and honor through flight and living history experiences, the Commemorative Air Force offers flights to museum visitors four days a week in various planes, including the B-25 “Maid in the Shade” bomber, built in early 1944. With so many flights under its belt, the B-25 bomber had worn out its bushings on the arms for the Cowell flaps—parts that open during takeoff to allow air to flow through the engine and close during landings.
Cass Precision Machining was more than happy to volunteer their time and expertise to get the B-25 bomber back up in the air, flying more safely than ever. Airbase Arizona offers a rare and exciting opportunity for a living history flight experience. Guests are allowed to take a ride and soar among the clouds in the B-52 “Made in the Shade,” and hear the rumble and roar of the engines, feel the wind in their face, and imagine themselves as part of the flight crew from over 70 years ago. The B-25’s most famous exploit was the April 18, 1942, Doolittle Raid on Japan.
Whether you visit the museum in Mesa, Arizona, or catch them on one of their many summer tours, people are able to schedule a flight on one of the warbirds and commemorate history.
“Cass Precision Machining was fantastic for us. They got us the parts we needed for the B-25 faster than we expected, and we were able to get our planes back up in the sky,” said Dick Clifford, Commemorative Air Force Airbase, Arizona. “Cass could not have been nicer to work with; they provided high-quality parts to make our deadline.”
Cass’s bushings for the Commemorative Air Force plane are much better than the original as they are heat-treated, centerless ground and fit better, and last longer.
“The bushings Cass made for our planes are far superior to the ones they replaced, and will help in allowing us to fly these historic planes for years to come,” said Clifford.
“It’s an honor for Cass to be able to volunteer our expertise to help restore and keep the B-25 bomber flying for the Commemorative Air Force,” said Jim Garvin, Cass President. “Cass started as a company the same year WWII ended, and we’ve always done everything we can to help support the armed forces. To be able to provide a part that lets the B-25 bomber continue to fly and to fly safer than ever before is a thrill for us.”
Cass was more than happy to volunteer their time and professional expertise with the replacement bushings that allow the famous B-25 bomber to remain flying.
We were also happy to see that the story of our contribution was picked up by newspapers and websites across the country, including Yahoo Finance, the Associated Press, and the Chicago Herald.