This Military Service Page was created/owned by
AB Raymond Guinn
to remember
Wheeler, William M., 2nd Lt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Detroit
Date of Passing Jul 19, 2011
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
After returning to the US in August 1945, Lt. Wheeler worked for Data Digests, Inc., a major international financial publishing company, eventually becoming Vice President of Production and Distribution. In the 1970s, he worked as a Methods and Procedures Analyst on the A-10 Warthog and Space Shuttle projects at Fairchild Republic Company's Farmingdale, NY, plant. In 1977, he joined National Bank of North America and its successor, National Westminster Bank, initially as a Purchasing Manager and eventually, rising to Vice President/Director of Purchasing, Printing, Central Supply and Distribution.
He retired from the business world in 1991, and in 1999, began participating in The Tuskegee Airmen’s Speakers Bureau. He makes many presentations throughout the country in many different venues each year on his favorite subject — The Tuskegee Airmen story.
1944-1945, P-51/F-51 Mustang
From Year 1944
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