IATA GRSICAO G159

Gulfstream Aerospace G-159 Gulfstream I

Gulfstream

TravelerPulse profile

Grumman's pioneering twin-turboprop executive transport aircraft.

First flight

1958

Category

Regional turboprop

Seating

10–24

Range

4,270 km

Engines

Two Rolls-Royce Dart Mk 529 turboprops

Status

Retired

The Gulfstream I, designated G-159, was developed by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation in the late 1950s as a corporate and utility transport. It was one of the first purpose-built executive turboprop aircraft and set the standard for business aviation comfort and performance of its era. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines, the Gulfstream I featured a pressurized cabin and could seat up to 24 passengers in an airline configuration or fewer in a more spacious executive layout. It served both corporate operators and military customers, including the United States Navy and Coast Guard. Production ran from 1958 to 1969, with approximately 200 aircraft built. The success of the Gulfstream I led directly to the development of the jet-powered Gulfstream II, establishing the long-running Gulfstream lineage. Most surviving examples have been retired from commercial and corporate service.

Notable operators

Operated primarily by corporate and government customers; military variants served the U.S. Navy (as TC-4C Academe) and U.S. Coast Guard.

Notable facts

›Approximately 200 aircraft were produced between 1958 and 1969.
›The aircraft established Grumman's presence in the business aviation market.
›It was one of the first purpose-built pressurized executive turboprop transports.
›The U.S. Navy operated a modified variant, the TC-4C, as a navigator trainer for A-6 Intruder crews.
›Its success directly led to the development of the jet-powered Gulfstream II.