Canadian Gulfstreams - Part 4

During the early 1980s, corporate jet buyers expressed their interest in an aircraft that could fly farther and faster, be more fuel efficient and produce less noise in the process. More stringent noise regulations were threatening operational flexibility, especially at sound sensitive airports. Dassault responded on Sept.21, 1984, when its Falcon 900 wide-body tri-jet first flew. It could fly 4,300NM at Mach .75. This presented a challenge to the Gulfstream III's range of 3,650NM at M.77. A year later, on Sept. 19, 1985, the first Gulfstream IV flew. Its range was 4,220NM at M.80. Besides being capable of flying 15% farther than the GIII, it had a 4.5' longer cabin and quieter Rolls-Royce Tay engines. A year after that, on Sept. 28, 1986, the first Canadair Challenger 601-3A flew. Its range was 3,100NM at M.80. After their respective certifications, all three were operating with flight departments in the fall of 1987.

The first Canadian GIV (c/n 1032, C-FSBR) was delivered to Denison Mines in Toronto in November 1987. The loyal Gulfstream customer had previously operated a GI, a GII and a GIII. It would be almost six years before another new GIV was delivered to a Canadian customer. The Seagram Company of Montreal took delivery of c/n 1207 (C-FDCS, later C-FJES and N77SW) in August 1993. Its U.S. subsidiary (Joseph E. Seagram & Sons) had been, and would continue to be, a significant Gulfstream operator. Over time, it operated two GIIs, two GIIIs, seven GIVs and two GVs.

When previously owned GIVs became available at more attractive prices, Canadian operators took more interest in the type. Since 1993, two GIVs (c/n 1065, C-FCNR and c/n 1103, C-FHPM) and five GIV-SPs (c/n 1224, C-GEIV; c/n 1238, C-GCPM; c/n 1336, C-FORB; c/n 1382, C-GMRX; and c/n 1466, C-FLMS) have been operated by Canadian companies. In addition, three previously owned GIV-Xs (G450s) have been purchased by Canadians. These have included c/n 4030, C-GXDN; c/n 4047, C-GFCP; and c/n 4308, C-FDBJ.

As had been the case with the GIII, the Canadian market proved to be a difficult one for Gulfstream to penetrate with the GIV. Likewise, Dassault delivered only three new Falcon 900s to Canadians from 1987 until 2000. The Canadair/Bombardier Challenger 600/601/601-3A/601-3R/604/605/650 family has dominated the high end corporate jet market in Canada. Of the 901 fourth generation Gulfstreams built, only 12 have worn a Canadian registration. Only a pair were purchased new.

Photos by Frederick K. Larkin

Gulfstream in Uniform : Part IV

Gulfstream IV family

The US military continued their relationship with Gulfstream when the airframer introduced the Gulfstream IV and then the updated IVSP. Entering service in 1990, the US Air Force operated two C-20H and flew the type until 2017. Upon retirement from USAF service, one went onto the civil market while the other was transferred to the US Army (90-0300) which joined the single C-20F which has been in Army service since 1991.

The US Navy operated four C-20Gs, equipped with a cargo door, they are able to operate with a mixed passenger and cargo interior. Later requirements by the Navy to replace the ageing C-20A in the CATBIRD role was made easier with the C-37A entering service, this allowed C-20G (Bu165151) to take up the CATBIRD duty and is still current today. To make it a full house, the US Marines operate a single C-20G, this airframe (c/n1200) was severely damaged by a tornado in Florida back in 1998, after a complete rebuild of the forward fuselage, wing and tail section it was able to return to USMC service in 2001.

Foreign operators of the Gulfstream IV have seen service with a handful of forces, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Oman, Chile, Turkey, Botswana, Pakistan and the Netherlands have all flown the Gulfstream IV.  But two other nations have flown the type in a different role to the normal VIP duties.
Sweden : Three Gulfstream IVSPs, (one is a standard VIP jet) but the other two were purchased to replace a pair of French built Caravelles, the Gulfstreams are locally designated as the S102B Korpen and have multiple external lumps and bumps housing a range of intelligence equipment. Their main mission is focused around the Baltic Sea area.
Japan : Five Gulfstream IVSPs have been delivered to the JASDF with a rapid change interior, these jets are used in a multi mission role. Much like the US Navy birds, the JASDF Gulfstreams are equipped with a side cargo door. The conversion of the locally designated U-4 was carried out by Marshalls Aerospace at Cambridge Airport, England. All five U-4s are still kept very busy at their Iruma Airbase.

Gulfstream updated the ageing GIVSP with the Gulfstream G450. This type has only entered military service with Pakistan and Mexico before the production line ceased in 2017.

Photo by Richard Flagg

Random Gulfstream photo #28

G4 N49RF (1246) has recently been chasing hurricanes in the Hawaiian islands and was caught by Michael Carter at Long Beach recently on the way home. Named "Gonzo" after the Muppets character due to the modified nose. A non standard rear fuselage too. A fairly elusive machine for many.



Another G4 to be parted out

Norm Hill Aviation have just reported that they are expecting G4 1099 to arrive for parting out starting 4th January. This is N36RR which passed through Luton this week. It would appear to be following their earlier G2 which finally ended up at California City.

 G4 N36RR(1099) departing Luton 18th December and G2 N36RR (004) departing Luton in August 2009

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



Belize pictures

Have recently been sent some pictures from Belize by Keith Parkinson. From a part of the world not greatly covered and all over 10 years old. Some of his Gee Twos and Threes have been added to the Gulfstream photo site The Panamanian G2 (with armed guards hence the sneaky shot) has been seen more recently at St. Lucie. The G4 is the 4th one built (1003).



New G650 for the Sultan of Johor

Michael Carter has sent me a shot of a recent G650 out of the paint shop at Long Beach. 9M-ZZZ is in the scheme of the Sultan of Johor. It will replace his G550 9M-TMJ (5493) which has been reported as being donated to a local football club next year. An earlier Gulfstream of his was G4 9M-ISJ (1106)

9M-ZZZ and N593GA were at Long Beach by Michael Carter and 9M-ISJ was at Luton in August 2014

30 years of the G4

30 years ago today, 19th September 1985, the First G4 flew. 536 were eventually built and very many are still in service.

That first G4 became  N552WF (1000) and is seen landing at Farnborough in 2010.

Egyptian G4s being replaced?

Have just been sent the attached picture of a pair of Egyptian G4s taken recently at Sharm El-Sheikh. The one on the right has had the flag, titles and registration removed suggesting this one may be withdrawn. The one on the left is SU-BPE.

Egypt has a fleet of 6 G4s, the first being delivered in 1998 and the last in 2004. Can anyone identify which one it is on the right?