Douglas B-23 Dragon, N534AJ / 2737, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N534AJ
Construction Number: 2737
Model Douglas B-23 Dragon
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 13/05/1993
Date Submitted: 14/07/2009
The Douglas B-23 was developed as a successor to the earlier B-18 Bolo. This one was originally 39-0051 with the USAAF and was one of 38 B-23s maunufactured between July 1939 and September 1940. The B-23 was the first operational US bomber to be equipped with a glazed tail gunners position and while significantly faster and better armed than the B-18, the B-23 was found to be inferior to the newer bombers such as the B-25 and B-26. For this reason, the B-23 was never used in combat. They did, however, see service in training, reconnaissance and transport roles. After World War II, Howard Hughes converted a B-23 for use as his personal transport aircraft. This particular B-23 was photographed before restoration at Pima. She's now displayed in the markings of Great Lakes Carbon and carries the registration N61Y which she carried early in her civilian career. At one time or another she also wore the following other registrations: NX61Y, N34C, N534C, N230SU and N534J. She is displayed at Pima courtesy of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Picture ID:1182287