Delivered to the US Army as CV-7A 63-13687 in 1965. To the USAF a C-8A in 1966. Assigned to Air Force Systems Command for testing. To the University of Michigan as N326D in 1973 operating for National Center for Atmospheric Research then to NASA Ames Research Center, NAS Moffett Field, CA as NASA 715 in 1974 then N715NA by 1983. Used for boundary layer control, STOL and V/STOL research. Modified as a Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft [QSRA] by Boeing. Stored at Moffett Field, CA by 1998, For sale in 2023.

This unique DHC-5 Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA) variant was a NASA research aircraft modified to study and develop Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) technology. The QSRA was among other things modified with 4 Lycoming F102 turbofan engines. It first flew in this configuration in 1978. This aircraft even performed a landing and takeoff on the US aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, (of course) requiring neither arresting gear nor catapult launch. The techniques learned from this Buffalo stood model for the Boeing YC-14/C-17 programme and is now preserved at Moffett Museum's airpark (CA)

Ex N330UE of Atlantic Coast/United Airlines Feeder