Random Gulfstream photo #36

Classic Gulfstreams at Luton are few and far between these days. It was therefore nice to hear that G3 N818EC (399) arrived this morning from Venice. I believe that the last G3 to visit here was back in March 2017. Today's arrival was caught by Dave Lythgoe.

It departed to Milan on the Friday and my shot can be seen at the usual Flickr link.

Military G3s extra

To complement Westleigh's recent post on the subject, have dug out a couple of pics which might be of interest. MM62025 (479) of the Italian Air Force was caught at Orly in 1989 by Paul Tricker while K2961 (494) of the Indian Air Force was caught by Steve Speight at Delhi in 2008 on what must have been a bit of a sneaky trip.

California City Update

John Hume has recently (Nov 25th) visited this well known last resting place for old Gulfstreams. He noted the following frames in the compound; 004, 005, 057, 132, 140, 153, 200, 207, 209, 231, 234, 237 plus N44YS (098) along with G3s 333, 363, 378, 379, 406, 407, 438 and 477.

 

Catbird Gulfstreams

"Catbird" is the callsign of the personal transport of the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH) US Navy. Based at NAS Sogonella in Sicily with VR-1 squadron. The first use of this goes back 60 years when the aircraft used was an R4D. It then transferred to a C-131 (141020 was a regular in Northolt in the 70s) and then to P-3 Orion. In 2004, delivery was taken of an ex Air Force machine 30500 (382) with the registration carried being abbreviated to 500. This was retired in 2014 and replaced by C-20G 165151 (1199) which is current. The badge carried was designed by an artist from Walt Disney so a copyright to this effect has to be included.

165151 at Southampton last week by Antony Pratt

via milart.com

830500 departing Luton in May 2012



Random Gulfstream photo #18

Have just received this pic taken at Fort Bragg NC on 21st March 1989 of G3 (C-20E) 87-0139 (497) operated by the US Army. It shows Senator Ted Kennedy deplaning and the welcoming group includes his nephew Joseph (amended). They were there to attend a DELTA briefing before heading to Washington for the inauguration of Dick Cheney as the new Secretary of Defense. Many thanks to MSG Dennis J Wilkins for the info and of course the picture. This G3 and sister ship 70140 were the last 2 off the production line. Both are now wfu at Davis Monthan.



Random Gulfstream photo #15

I've recently been sent this pic by Paul Filmer (link) of this lovely old G3 arriving at Centennial (KAPA) last month. N510FR (446) is now operated by Oneflight and sports this terrific black scheme. Originally delivered to Unitech in 1985 as N446U.



Moroccan G3 still active!

Veteran G3 CN-ANU (365) arrived this morning at Farnborough on a brief visit and was caught by Eric Denison. Originally delivered to Saudia as HZ-AFO in 1983 and transferred to Morocco in 1989. Good to see this still in service and has had a repaint recently.



37 years ago today

The prototype Gulfstream G-1159A G3 (N300GA) flew for the first time on 2nd December 1979 from Savannah. 202 of this model were eventually built. Rolled out on 21st September 1979, it and one other (249 and 252) were originally taken out of the G2 line and built as G3s. A slightly longer fuselage and new wings and the introduction of winglets. These proved so successful that many G2s were retrofitted with G3 wings and became G2Bs.
A busy week for anniversaries with last Monday (28th November) being the 21st anniversary of the first flight of the G5 in 1995.