| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 12418 |
| Military Code: | XD-8 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Douglas DC-3 |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Douglas DC-3 (C-47 Skytrain/Dakota) |
| Aircraft Version: | Douglas R4D-5L Skytrain |
| C/n (msn): | 9358 |
| Operator Titles: | USA - Navy |
| Aircraft Name: | Qué Será Será |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Pensacola - NAS / Forrest Sherman FieldMap |
| Region / Country: | Florida, United States |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: KNPA IATA: NPA Local: NPA Other: - |
| Collection: | National Museum of Naval Aviation |
| Photo Date: | 13 December 2024 |
| Photo by: | Richard Vandervord |
| Photo ID: | 767027 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
After serving as a regular USN transport from 1943, BuNo 12418 was transferred to VX-6, NAS Patuxent River in 1955 and converted next year to R4D-5L for use in Antarctica. On 31st October 1956, it made the first ever landing at the South Pole, the crew of seven becoming the first humans there since the Royal Navy's Captain Scott reached the pole in 1912. Qué Será Será was presented to the Smithsonian Institute in 1958 and placed in store at its Silver Hill facility. In 1974 it was loaned to the Naval Aviation Museum but was damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Restored for display inside by 2011 This photo is copyright © Richard Vandervord, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 10 January 2025, and has since been viewed 70 times. |