As product of pre-World War Two technology, the Douglas B-23 Dragon was the Army Air Corps first bomber with a manned tail gun emplacement, featuring a .50-caliber gun that was larger than the .30-caliber guns standard in pre war Air Corps design.

In 1938, the Douglas Aircraft Co. developed the B-23 Dragon to rectify the shortcomings of its B-18 Bolo, The B-23 Dragon featured upgraded engines,  considerably refined fuselage included and a tail gun position than found in the B-18.

The first B-23 (S/N 39-27) was completed in July of 1939, and completed its first flight from Clover Field at Santa Monica on July 27, 1939. After being evaluated by the Materiel Division at Wright Field in Ohio, deliveries of the aircraft began the next year. Beginning in February in 1940, McChord's 17th Bombardment Group and the 89th Reconnaissance Squadron received their first factory fresh Dragon Bombers as a supplement to the B-18 Bolo's currently assigned to the base. The Air Corps received its last of its 38 B-23s in September 1940.

Early evaluations revealed disappointing performance, even though the B-23 was 66 mph faster than its B-18A predecessor and had a much better range, it was still clearly inferior to other bombers of it's era. The B-23 was slower than the Boeing B-17 Fortress, the North American B-25 Mitchell and Martin B-26 Marauder and was less heavily armed. Consequently, the B-23 was never used in its intended bombardment role and never saw any combat overseas. Ultimately relegated to training, and as a utility transport (as UC-67) and many for many other tests and experiments.

After the end of the war, surviving B-23s and UC-67s were sold off as surplus. Many were refitted as corporate aircraft and were provided with a new and longer metal nose, full washroom facilities, plus accommodations for twelve passengers in two compartments.

• TYPE: Medium Bomber

• POWER: Two Wright R-2600-3 Radial piston engines with 1,600 hp. each

• SPEED: Maximum - 282 mph, Cruising - 210 mph. 

• RANGE : 1,400 miles (with 4000 lbs of bombs)

• SERVICE CEILING: 31,600 ft

• WEIGHTS: Empty: 19,089 lbs, Combat: 26,500, Maximum: 32,400 lbs

• MAXIMUM PAYLOAD: 4,400 lb. (1996 kg) of bombs carried internally

• DIMENSIONS: Span 92 ft, Length 58 ft 4 3/4 in, Height 18 ft 5 1/2 in.

• CREW: Five;  Pilot, Co-Pilot, Radio Operator, Bombardier and Tail gunner

• PRODUCTION TOTALS: 38 ; 15-18 converted into UC-67

• UNIT COST : $133,000

• McCHORD BASED UNITS: 12th Bombardment Group, 17th Bombardment Group,    47th Bombardment Group, 89th Reconnaissance Squadron,

Flying over the snow covered Cascade foothills in Washington State the Air Museums Douglas B-23 39-36 is shown making its last final approach to McChord AFB on December 12, 1985. After a short Military career, the Museums B-23 passed through many civilian hands including the University of Washington. On June 3, 1983 suffered partial landing rear collapse on landing at Kingman, AZ. and later sold to Warbird Collector Ascher Ward After completing some restorations the B-23 was traded to the U.S. Air Force Museum (for a F-104 and C-123's) and loaned to the McChord Air Museum.  

Completed and delivered by Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach, CA  

1940  

To Maxwell Field, AL (Unit Unknown) 

(United States Army Air Corps)

DATE UNKNOWN 

To 13th Bombardment Group, Orlando Field, FL 

(United States Army Air Corps)

DATE UNKNOWN 

To Eglin Field, FL (Unit Unknown)

(United States Army Air Corps)

23 JULY 1944 

08 SEPTEMBER 1944  

19 APRIL 1945

Sold to Paul Mantz Air Services ($20.000) re-registered as NC52327

28 AUGUST 1947  

18 JULY 1960  

Sold to Standard Oil Company of Texas, Houston, TX   

30 MARCH 1970  

02 SEPTEMBER 1970

30 MARCH 1977  

Sold to Spurling Aviation, Inc - Lease to UW continues.     

01 MARCH 1980  

Sold to Puget Sound Flight Center Inc - Lease to UW continues. 

01 APRIL 1980  

Sold to Puget Sound Corporation -Flight Center- Lease to UW continues.  

01 APRIL 1980  

1984

Sold to Ascher Ward and Al Hansen, Mojave, CA  

12 DECEMBER 1985  

Loaned to McChord Air Museum, McChord AFB, WA for display.  

(United States Air Force Museum Program)