This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Phyllis Rocher-Family
to remember
Rocher, Raymond Loyd, MSgt USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Lorain
Date of Passing Jun 26, 1975
Location of Interment Resthaven Memorial Park - Lubbock, Texas
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Prior to serving in England, Sgt. Rocher had attend the 86th School Squadron Air Corps Technical School, graduating in August 1941. He served at the 4152nd AAF base Unit, Clinton County Army Air Field, Wilminton, Ohio. He received the rank of MSgt. on 1 July 1943.
During WWII, Master Sergeant Ray Loyd "Red" Rocher served with the 359th Fighter Group, 67th Fighter Wing, VIII Fighter Command, 8th AIr Force out of RAF East Wretham, Norfolk, England (USAAF Station #133), Thetford, Norfolk, England. He served there from November 1943 to May 1945. He worked as a Line Crew Chief on P-49 and P-51 aircraft of the 368, 369th, and 370th Fighter Squadrons.
Following WWII, he continued to serve in the Air Force, with a few breaks in service, until his retirement on 31 July 1961 at Dyess with the 96th Aircraft Support Group (SAC)
1943-1945, P-51/F-51 Mustang
From Year 1943
To Year 1945
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
P-51/F-51 Mustang Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: 1 * Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m) * Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m) * Height: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m) * Wing area: 235 ft� (21.83 m�) * Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,465 kg) * Loaded weight: 9,200 lb (4,175 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,490 kg) * Powerplant: 1� Packard Merlin V-1650-7 liquid-cooled supercharged V-12, 1,695 hp (1,265 kW) * Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0163 * Drag area: 3.80 ft� (0.35 m�) * Aspect ratio: 5.83
Performance
* Maximum speed: 437 mph (703 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m) * Cruise speed: 362 mph (580 km/h) * Stall speed: 100 mph (160 km/h) * Range: 1,650 mi (2,755 km) with external tanks * Service ceiling 41,900 ft (12,770 m) * Rate of climb: 3,200 ft/min (16.3 m/s) * Wing loading: 39 lb/ft� (192 kg/m�) * Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (300 W/kg) * Lift-to-drag ratio: 14.6 * Recommended Mach limit 0.8
Armament
* 6 � 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns; 400 rounds per gun for the two inboard guns; 270 per outboard gun * 2 hardpoints for up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) * 10 � 5 in (127 mm) rockets
Specifications
* A-36A Apache - Dive bomber (US Army) * F-6 - US Army offshoots model * F-6A - US Army offshoots model * F-6C - Reconnaissance variant * P-51A - More powerful powerplant; 4 x machine guns. * P-51B - 4 x machine guns; Original and bubble canopy. * P-51C - 4 x machine guns; Original and bubble canopy. * P-51D - Classic variant; most produced. * P-51H - Lighter airframe version * P-51K - Featuring an Aeroproducts propeller. * F-51 - Redesignated to "Fighter" in the new jet fighter age. * F-6K - Reconnaissance version of P-51K
