Gulfstreams

Gee Two Pics

2011-12-07T16:20:00.003Z

A collection of scans of old G2s has recently been added to Flickr by 64N21W. They are some of the best shots I have seen and bring back memories of the old days. Hope you like them too.

Click on 64N21W Gee Two Pics

New huskit for older Gulfstreams

2011-10-22T16:33:00.001Z

photo by Stephen Rudge taken at the 2011 NBAA at Henderson

The Hubbard Aviation Technologies QS3 hushkit has recently been certified by EASA to meet Chapter 3 noise requirements giving it unrestricted access to "Europe's leading business airports". The extra weight will reduce the range slightly (2%) but should be more than offset by a greater choice of airports. The new kit costs $1.5 million and can be installed by Aeroshear Aviation Services at Van Nuys, California. G3 N19H is being used as a demonstrator.

Long-term LTN resident finally departs

2011-09-20T14:22:00.004Z

Gulfstream 2 number 177 first flew on 6th February 1976 (as N17587). It was delivered to the Government of Nigeria as 5N-AGV in November 1976. I actually saw it on delivery through Heathrow on the 10th of that month.

It arrived at Luton on a first visit on 2nd February 2005 from Palma for some maintenance. Things obviously didn't go as planned as it was stored, minus tail, for many months. It did engine runs in 2007 and was re-registered to 5N-BGV at the end of 2008. It also carried 5N-BLV for a short while but this was probably a painting error. It did its first air test on 31st January 2009. On 7th February it departed to Biggin Hill for painting and returned on 19th March sporting a smart new scheme in the colours of the Rochas Foundation.

5N-BGV finally departed Luton yesterday (19th September) to the States via Keflavik after a stay (bar 6 weeks) of six and a half years. Final destination was Atlanta-Paulding. The registration N1513 appears to be reserved.

Pic 1. Seen shortly after arrival on 4th February 2005

(credit: Doug MacDonald)

Pic 2. Seen on 8th February 2006 minus tail and other bits

Pic 3. Departing on an air test 31st January 2009

(credit: Graham Wasey)

Pic 4. New colours seen on 20th March 2009

Oman Royal Flight re-equips

2011-07-27T16:27:00.000Z

The Oman Royal Flight have recently taken delivery of 2 brand new G550s which will eventually replace their elderly G4s. A40-AD (5320) and A4O-AE (5325) are the machines in question. The former was caught departing Stansted on 27th July in slightly gloomy conditions.

credit: John Lythgoe

Bumpy Gee Two in the UK

2011-07-19T19:11:00.004Z

One of the highlights of this year's Air Tattoo at Fairford was this Gulfstream 2 N510AG (159).

and www.flickr.com/photos/bob-holland/5951223696

credit: Graham Wasey

Some nice interior shots by Alex can be seen at the following links;

www.flickr.com/photos/alexpeakephotography/5947678794

www.flickr.com/photos/alexpeakephotography/5947679196

www.flickr.com/photos/alexpeakephotography/5947124465

New Italian G550

2011-07-04T18:43:00.001Z

Many thanks to Ger Buskermolen for sending this shot of newly delivered G550 I-ADVD (5314) at Amsterdam-Schiphol today (4th July). A link to his blog can be seen on the list to the right.

New Gulfstream photo site

2011-05-14T09:37:00.004Z

Following the loss of Fotopic and my original Gulfstream site, have now set up a new one.

www.gulfstreams.zenfolio.com

Will be aiming to get the latest shot of each frame so if you see a later registration or new colours, please send your shot for possible inclusion. Also sunny shots to replace any where the weather didn't play ball.

Contact me at wembleybob@btinternet.com

Thanks again to all my contributors. Now includes my own collection of shots.

Nigerian G550 at Long Beach

2011-04-27T19:16:00.001Z

Michael Carter has just sent me this shot of G550 N510GA (5310) at Long Beach today. Will be registered 5N-FGW upon delivery.

Latest pics

2011-04-04T12:28:00.006Z

Thanks to Westleigh Bushell for this shot of G550 CN-AMS (5271) arriving at Heathrow on 10th April on a first visit.

Thanks to Alex Peake for his shot of G5 XA-OEM (540) departing Luton on 6th April.

Thanks again to Michael Carter for this shot of G450 N608GA (4208) on finals to Long Beach on 1st April. Has registration N888KJ reserved.

New G450 on delivery

2011-04-01T18:04:00.003Z

G450 TC-DYO (4212) was delivered through Luton in the early hours of 31st March. John Lythgoe was there to record the event.

Gulfstreams at Luton 23rd March

2011-03-23T19:58:00.006Z

Many thanks to Alex Peake for his shots of these nice Gulfstreams this morning.

G4 N125SJ (1368) arrived at 09:35 from White Plains

G450 N432AS (4142) arrived at 10:45 from Torrejon

G650 flies

2009-11-26T10:45:00.016Z

picture courtesy of Gulfstream Aerospace

The first G650 (N650GA) took off for the first time from Savannah at 13:41 EST on 25th November 2009. The flight was curtailed due to vibration in a landing gear door and landed 12 minutes later.

Full story can be seen at http://www.gulfstream.com/news/releases/2009/112509.htm

G650 takes shape

2009-07-21T15:31:00.007Z

Official roll out of prototype N650GA Sept 29th 2009

pictures courtesy of Gulstream Aerospace

History and Production

2007-01-05T15:44:00.029Z

The original Gulfstream

... designated G-159 and now known as the Gulfstream 1 was a turboprop powered by 2 Rolls Royce Darts. The prototype first flew on 14th August 1958 at Bethpage NY. 201 of these were built before the jet models came on line. Production ceased in 1969 but some examples are still flying (2008). Con 012A was used instead of 013 and 113 was not allocated.

The Gulfstream 2

... first flew on 2nd October 1966 and designated G-1159. 256 of this model were built with the first 7 built at Bethpage NY and all subsequent Gulfstreams built at Savannah Ga. Some of the last built had tip tanks fitted on the production line. Many have been converted to G2B (a G3 wing) or more recently to G2SP (blended winglets). The hush kit conversion have given a new lease of life to the G2 and G3 and many can still be seen.

Construction numbers in the range from 1 to 258. Numbers 249 and 252 were actually built as G3s. Number 775 was built out of sequence as a demonstrator was required and Grumman didn't want to push customers allocated frames back. A gap was then left at 87 to compensate.

The Gulfstream 3

... first flew on 2nd December 1979 and designated G-1159A. 202 of this model were built.

Both the 2 and 3 are powered by the smaller Rolls Royce Spey engines compared to the larger Tay engines of the later models. The G2 can be recognised by the extra cockpit windows.

Construction numbers in the range 300 to 498. Number 875 was another out of sequence demonstrator and was built between 322 and 323.

The Gulfstream 4

... first flew on 19th September 1985. 536 of this model were built which includes the later G4SP which had a greater range. The last few built were rebranded as G300 (G4) and G400 (G4SP) to come in line with the new Israeli models (G100 Astra and G200 Galaxy). All are fitted with blended winglets.

Construction numbers in the range 1000 to 1535.

The Gulfstream 5

... first flew on 28th November 1995.

193 of this model were built. Originally had 6 windows each side but some later ones had 7 windows on the right (still 6 on the left) which sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish from the later G550. This was a customer option and does not effect the designation. It was not possible to add a window on the left because of the entry door position. The following frames have been identified as having the extra window; 562,576,603, 605,606,614,616,640 and 690. The G5 and G550 are powered by the one piece BR 700 engines.

Construction numbers in the range 501 to 693 with 699 probably to replace 666 which wasn't built.

The G550

... and the shorter range G500 are still in production and have passed the 300 units mark. Originally designated G5SP, the first production aircraft (5001) flew for the first time on 18th July 2002. Israel are currently developing an AEW version. The 550 differs from the G5 by having the entry door slightly further forward allowing for the extra (7th) window on the left.

Construction numbers start at 5001.

The G450

... and the shorter range G350 are still in production and have passed the 200 units mark. The first aircraft (4001) flew for the first time on 30th April 2003. Slightly longer than the G4 with the entry door set further back and has a one piece Tay engine.

Construction numbers start at 4001.

There is no external difference between the 500 and 550 or the 350 and 450. The differences are the fuel tanks, undercarriage and avionics.

The G650

Currently still in the test phase with certification hoped for in 2011 and first deliveries in 2012. First flight (6001) was on 25th November 2009.

Con plates

The constructors plate was originally attached to the side of the entry door but on later examples appears on the aft fuselage just by the rear of the engines.

and finally .....
The author has been chasing Gulfstreams for more years than he cares to remember now. All this chasing has kept him fit though.

Thanks to Graham Wasey for taking the picture at the 2008 EBACE at Geneva onboard G5 N500GV of Air Rutter International.

See my website at http://www.gulfstreams.zenfolio.com/ where I am trying to build up a collection of every Gulfstream jet (Savannah built) produced. Should you have any pictures that you think could be considered for inclusion, please send them to me at Wembleybob@btinternet.com