60th Anniversary

60 years ago today, 14th August 1958, the first Gulfstream took to the air. At the time, I was just a little lad and was totally oblivious of this event which would ultimately have such an effect on my life and a few others I suspect. N701G took off from Bethpage NY (east of New York city) where this and all 200 G1s were built. Designed to have a lifespan of 25 years, it's incredible that maybe 10 of these are still airworthy 60 years later.
The G-159 Gulfstream was the first aircraft to be built specifically as a corporate transport. Previously, airliners or military transports were converted to meet this role. The Rolls Royce Dart was chosen as the power plant (as used on the Vickers Viscount and Avro 748) and RR have supplied engines for Gulfstreams until only recently.
A number of G1s were stretched (by 10 foot 7 inches) and re-designated G1Cs. The first conversion was frame 116 in 1979. See pic below. Other conversions were 027, 083, 088 and 123 (5 in total). Many of the original customers are still flying later models today which is a testament to the quality and reliability of Gulfstream's products.
A big thank you to Frederick K Larkin and Scott Morris for their help and inspiration. Much appreciated.

An appropriately registered G1 at Boston in September 1981