@ Atwater, CA
April 2021
The Douglas B-23 Dragon was an twin-engined bomber developed by the Douglas as a successor to the B-18 Bolo. This design improved on the B-18 with the use of the stronger wings of the DC-3, a new streamlined fuselage, and large fin and rudder. These extensive changes resulted in a rework of the remaining B-18 production contract and a new designation of B-23. First flown in 1939, the B-23 was the first Air Corps bomber to feature a tail turret. B-23s were never used in combat overseas, primarily relegated to training duties, although 18 of them were later converted as transports and redesignated UC-67. Following the war, many of the 38 Dragons produced were converted to corporate aircraft.