R4D Que Sera Sera (Flight Line)

The R4D is the Naval version of the C-47 Skytrain/Gooney Bird.

This particular R4D, Que Sera Sera, was the first aircraft to land at the South Pole, on October 31, 1956. When I visited, it was still fitted with skis for landing on the snow. During World War II, the Army Air Forces experimented with skis on P-51 Mustangs, although never used them operationally.

The photos here are from when Que Sera Sera was stored outdoors, on the flight line, partially disassembled. It has since been restored and is now displayed indoors.