A B-25 Engine Overhaul Can Cost Upwards Of $65,000

Last week, the maintenance team of the Minnesota Wing unfortunately discovered critical engine damage on their assigned B-25 Miss Mitchell. 

The team took swift action to repair it. Over the weekend, they further discovered that the engine will not be able to be repaired by their maintenance team, but will require a full engine overhaul at an overhaul facility. Sending the engine out for repairs adds additional costs and time to the repair project.

The timing is terrible as the B-25 was slated to participate in the Raid Across South Dakota event and the Ellsworth Airshow. Volunteers were truly looking forward to both events. They are hoping that the engine overhaul can be completed quickly so that they can prevent additional show cancellations this season.

A B-25 engine overhaul can cost upwards of $65,000. They hope that it does not cost that much, but these historic aircraft are 80 years old and parts are not cheap.  

The Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing was formed in 1971. The Minnesota Wing was the very first charter unit of the national headquarters wing of the Commemorative Air Force and operated as a maintenance support arm to help the CAF’s mission and its ever growing fleet of rare aircraft. 

A funding drive, to restore Miss Mitchell back to flight status, has started in order to hasten the repairs. Every dollar raised above and beyond the cost of the engine overhaul will go towards the B-25 and the CAF museum to support their mission of education. 

FMI: https://www.cafmn.org, https://caf-mn-wing.snwbll.com/b-25-maintenance-fund