McChord Air Force Base in McChord AFB in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Douglas B-23 Dragon

S/N 39-036

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 18, 2011

1. Douglas B-23 Dragon Marker

Inscription. 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, a considerably refined fuselage, and a tail gun position not found in the B-18. Beginning in early 1940, McChord's 17th Bombardment Group and the 89th Reconnaissance Squadron received their first factory fresh B-23 Dragon Bombers along side B-18 Bolos stationed at the base. McChord based B-23s were flown by the 89th RS (1940-1941), and other squadrons from the 12th BG (M) (1941-1942), 17th BG(M) (1940-1941), 47th BG(L) (1941).

Proudly Maintained by the McChord Air Museum.

Erected by McChord Air Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 47° 7.901′ N, 122° 28.944′ W. Marker is in McChord AFB, Washington, in Pierce County. It is in McChord Air Force Base. Marker is on Colonel Joe Jackson Boulevard east of 6th Street SW, on the right when traveling north. Located in the McChord Air Museum aircraft park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: McChord AFB WA 98438, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Douglas TC-47D Skytrain (a few steps from this marker); Douglas B-18A Bolo (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Beechcraft UC-45J Expeditor (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairchild C-82A Packet (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star (within shouting distance of this marker); North American F-86D Sabre (within shouting distance of this marker); Convair F-102A Delta Dagger (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McChord AFB.

Also see . . .
1. McChord Air Museum. (Submitted on June 29, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.)
2. Wikipedia - B-23 Dragon. (Submitted on June 29, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.)

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 18, 2011

2. Douglas B-23 Dragon Marker

The note on the nose of the aircraft states that it has been loaned to the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, OH.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 19, 2011

3. Douglas B-23 Dragon Marker

Douglas B-23 Dragon image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 18, 2011

4. Douglas B-23 Dragon

Tail gun position noted on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 18, 2011

5. Tail gun position noted on the marker

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 18, 2011

6. Douglas B-23 Dragon

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, May 19, 2011

7. Douglas B-23 Dragon

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 708 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 29, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.