Gulfstream 1: From Turboprop Luxury to Jetset Legacy

The Gulfstream 1 was a pioneer when it flew onto the scene in the late 1950s, combining turboprop efficiency and flexibility with a comfortable cabin. It was designed for the emerging modern business aviation industry, offering executives a better way to cover distances, as well as shaping the evolution of executive air travel for future generations. Introducing Grumman Gulfstream 1 PlaneTags.

What is Gulfstream 1?

The G-159 Gulfstream I is a twin-engine turboprop that was designed and manufactured by Grumman Aircraft (now Gulfstream Aerospace) from 1959 to 1969. It marked the company's entry into the business aviation market and laid the foundation for the successful Gulfstream series of business jets.

The G-159’s streamlined fuselage and wing design was designed with a focus on aerodynamics, enhancing its performance and fuel efficiency, especially compared to other turboprop aircraft of the time. Equipped with two Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines, the twin-engine configuration not only provided redundancy for safety but also contributed to better performance and fuel efficiency as well. Its low-wing configuration allowed for a more spacious cabin and easier boarding through an airstair at the front of the cabin.

Thanks to its turboprop engines, the Gulfstream I could operate from shorter runways, making it more versatile in terms of airport selection, allowing access to smaller airports that might not be suitable for larger jets. Its turboprop engines also provided better fuel efficiency at lower speeds compared to jet engines, translating to lower operating costs and more competitive operating economics, which appealed to corporate and private operators. Similarly, it was capable of covering significant distances without the need for refueling stops, making it particularly suitable for regional and continental travel.

Bilstein_01113 Grumman Gulfstream I N431G and N708G Conoco Oil 1981 flickr photo by San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives shared with no copyright restriction (Flickr Commons)

Overall, the Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I was designed to combine the benefits of turboprop engines, operational flexibility, and a comfortable cabin environment. Its success in the business aviation market paved the way for subsequent Gulfstream models that would incorporate more advanced technology and even greater levels of luxury and performance.

Gulfstream 1 Interior

The Gulfstream I was designed to provide a comfortable and pleasant flight, with a spacious, pressurized and soundproofed cabin. Depending on its configuration, it could seat up to 24 passengers, but typically 10 to 12, or 8 in an executive layout. Other amenities included a lavatory, flexible seating options, entertainment systems, fold out tables, refreshment areas - anything you might find in an executive suite or lounge. 

Development of the Grumman Gulfstream I

The design and development of the Grumman Gulfstream 1 began in the mid-1950’s, after Grumman Aircraft recognized a growing demand for an efficient, yet comfortable executive aircraft to serve the business aviation market. The design team aimed to develop an airplane that offered the range and performance needed for regional business travel, as well as the comfort and amenities required by executive business travelers. 

Gulfstream 1 Inaugural Flight, photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman History Center Archives

The Gulfstream I made its maiden flight on August 14, 1958. Following successful flight testing and refinements, the aircraft entered production in 1959. The first production Gulfstream I was delivered in May 1959, and 200 total were built within the next 11 years.

Gulfstream 1 variants:

• G-159 Gulfstream I
• G-159 C Gulfstream I-C - This stretched version of the original G1 could accommodate up to 37 passengers. 
• VC-4A - Coast Guard VIP transport plane
• TC-4B - U.S. Navy navigator/trainer, ordered but canceled before delivery
• TC-4C Academe - U.S. Navy and Marine Corps bombardier navigator/trainer, which was fitted with a Grumman A-6 cockpit and nose radome

Gulfstream Legacy

The Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I's design and development process exemplified the company's transition from military aircraft production to the business aviation market. The aircraft's combination of turboprop efficiency, operational flexibility, and luxurious cabin set the stage for its success in the corporate and private aviation sectors. Over time, this success would lead to the evolution of the Gulfstream brand and the development of subsequent aircraft models.

Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV-X Gulfstream G450 N723MM (cn 357) flickr photo by TDelCoro shared under a Creative Commons (BY-SA) license

Today, Gulfstream aircraft are now built by Gulfstream Aerospace in their Savannah, GA manufacturing plant. Take a look at the aircraft in the modern Gulfstream fleet:

• G800 - the world’s longest-range business aircraft
• G700
• G650/G650ER
• G600
• G500
• G400
• G280

Gulfstream 1 At a Glance

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Grumman
• Type: Gulfstream I (G-159)
• Tail #: N708G
• Crew: 2
• Wing Span: 78 Ft 6 In
• Length: 63 Ft 9 In
• Height: 22 Ft 9 In

Performance:

• Range: 2,207 Nm
• Cruise Speed: 250 Kts
• Ceiling: 33,600 Ft
• Empty Weight: 23,693 Lb
• Max Takeoff Weight: 36,000 Lb
• Rate Of Climb: 1,900 Ft/Min
• Engine: 2x Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.529-8x W/ 4x Rotol Propellers

N708G

The First Gulfstreams. Grumman G159 Gulfstream 1 N708G (msn 8) dates from 1959. Photo by Fergus Abraham, November 5, 1981. Used with permission.

N708G, a G-159, took its first flight on July 21, 1959 and was delivered to its sole operator Conoco in September 1959. Conoco (which merged with Phillips Petroleum to become ConocoPhillips in 1999) went through many changes throughout the years N708G flew with the company. Facing impacts of global energy challenges such as the oil crisis in the 1970s,  and fluctuating markets due to regulatory changes and geopolitical events, the company evolved into a leader in the global technology sector. After operating exclusively for Conoco for over 25 years, N708G was retired in 1985. It remained in storage until MotoArt acquired it from ConocoPhillips in 2021 to create custom aviation furniture and G 1 PlaneTags.

MotoArt Gets A Gulfstream 1

“We were so honored to make a custom conference table for ConocoPhillips, using parts from N708G,” says MotoArt owner, Dave Hall. “Now we get to celebrate and remember this aircraft through PlaneTags.” 

Aviation Furniture by MotoArt

The Gulfstream 1 PlaneTags came out of a custom conference table order from ConocoPhillips. They provided the fuselage of N708G to create a three window table.

The table was created by the MotoArt team, who spent many hours mirror polishing and breathing new life into the 60+ year old weathered fuselage. The result was a stunning conference table, made even more meaningful by its history with the company. Over the years, MotoArt has also offered custom aviation furniture and conference tables made from the Grumman Albatross and the Gulfstream 2, among many other aircraft.

Grumman G-159 Gulfstream 1 PlaneTags

The Grumman G-159 Gulfstream 1 PlaneTags will be released on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 12pm PST. They are numbered in a series of 3,250. Initially they will be available in the following colors: 

• Exterior
• Interior Gray
• Dark Green
  
• Tri-color
• White/Green/Dual-color
• White/Red Dual-color

Grumman PlaneTags

Over the years MotoArt has introduced the following Grumman aircraft PlaneTags.

• Grumman G-21A Goose, made from C-FEFN. Read more about it here: Grumman G-21A Goose: A Legend of Sea and Sky
• Grumman F-14A Tomcat, made from 159611. Get the story on our blog: F-14: MotoArt Finds A Tomcat
• One of our original PlaneTags - the HU-16 Albatross
• Gulfstream II PlaneTags from the original skin of N930LS - another classic PlaneTag!

The 2nd Annual PlaneTags Festival in 2022 included Grumman G-159 Gulfstream 1 PlaneTags for attendees. They were made from NASA’s N4NA and were not sold in the shop. Did you get your tickets to the 3rd Annual PlaneTags Festival yet? Seats are limited so don’t miss getting your exclusive PlaneTags at Tagfest.