Country of origin:

United States of America

Description:

Commuter airliner and business and executive aircraft

Power Plant:

Two 1,649 kw (2,210 eshp) Rolls Royce Dart Rda 529-8 turboprops

Specifications:

History:

In 1956 Grumman Aircraft set out to produce a long-range transport capable of operating to airline standards to replace the large number of Douglas DC-3s and similar types serving as business and executive aircraft in the USA. Designed to be independent of ground services, this permitted the aircraft to operate into rough fields throughout the world. The Gulfstream I was reasonably successful on the world’s market, and 200 had been built by the time production ceased in 1969 in favour of the turbojet-powered Gulfstream II.

The prototype Gulfstream I was first flown on 14 August 1958 and, after the FAA certification program, deliveries of production aircraft began in mid 1959. Most aircraft were completed with executive layouts providing accommodation for a crew of two and up to ten passengers. The Gulfstream I was first seen in Australia in this role.

When operators realised that the type would prove successful in the commuter role, a number of aircraft were converted to seat 19 passengers. The type was also purchased by the United States Navy (USN) as an attack-crew proficiency trainer with a flight crew of two, two instructors, one pupil pilot, and four bombardier/navigator pupils. Known as the TC-4C, the type was intended to improve the proficiency of Grumman A-6A Intruder aircrews. It was also purchased for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) as a transport, being known as the VC-4A.

In 1979 a new model known as the Gulfstream American Gulfstream IC was released. Aimed at the commuter airliner market, it was powered by two 1,649 kw (2,210-shp) Rolls Royce Dart 529 turboprops. The prototype, which was a converted standard Gulfstream I, was flown for the first time on 25 October 1979. With a crew of two, seating for 32 to 38 passengers in a three-abreast layout. This was a new production derivative of the old executive transport, which had rectangular cabin windows, a re-designed nose, and an increase in overall length to 22.63 m (74 ft 3 in).

Gulfstream Is which have operated in this region include: VH-ASJ (c/n 52) of Broken Hill Pty Ltd which was operated on the company’s behalf by Associated Airlines of Essendon, VIC from 9 September 1960. It was sold to Traidaplane International Pty Ltd of Essendon, VIC on 30 March 1983 and exported to the USA at N3858H in April that year.

VH-CRA (c/n 171) was registered to Mines Transportation Pty Ltd (for Conzinc Rio Tinto) on 17 June 1966 and operated by Associated Airlines of Essendon. It was exported to the USA on 1 October 1973 as N171LS.

VH-FLO (c/n 100 – ex N116K, N116KJ, N715G) was registered to Comalco Ltd on 14 May 1969. Ownership was transferred to Business Aviation Centre Pty Ltd (Sherrard Aviation) of Essendon, VIC on 22 June 1989, Australian Guarantee Corporation Ltd on 2 December 1994, and International Air Parts Pty Ltd of Narrabeen, NSW on 5 December 1994. It was thereafter retired and shipped to New Zealand where it was subsequently placed in storage in Auckland.

In mid 1980 Skywest Airlines of Western Australia ordered a Gulfstream I to replace a Swearingen Metro for commuter services. On 22 June 1981 this aircraft was registered VH-WPA (c/n 114 – ex N9300P, N705RS, N705M, N250M, N712G) and was fitted out in a high-density arrangement for 24 passengers. It remained in service until exported to the USA as N724RA on 13 July 1983.

A second aircraft, a Gulfstream IC, a stretched commuter model with seating for 36, was to be obtained and allotted the registration VH-SBA but did not arrive and did not take up the registration.

VH-JPJ (c/n 191 – ex G-BKJZ, N300P, N200P) was the last to operate in this region, being registered on 4 August 1988 to Balestready Pty Ltd which operated as International Business Jets Pty Ltd in Sydney. On 7 July 1992 it was sold to P T Rajawali Air Transport of Djakarta, Indonesia, becoming PK-RJA.