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 alongside 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), and 47th BG(L) (1941).