The Grumman G-1159 Gulfstream II (G-II) is a landmark in business aviation—it was Gulfstream Aerospace’s first jet-powered aircraft, introduced in the late 1960s as a sleek, long-range executive jet. The G-II combined Grumman's military-grade engineering with jet-age performance, and it set the standard for what a high-end business jet could be.

🛩️ Overview:

• Role: Business jet / executive transport
• Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
• First flight: October 2, 1966
• Introduced: 1968
• Total built: ~258
• Designation: G-1159
• Nickname: Gulfstream II or G-II
• Predecessor: Gulfstream I (turboprop)
• Successor: Gulfstream III (G-III)

🛠️ Key Specifications:

• Engines: 2 × Rolls-Royce Spey Mk 511-8 turbojets
• Thrust: ~11,400 lbf (50.7 kN) each
• Wingspan: 68 ft 10 in (21 m)
• Length: 79 ft 11 in (24.4 m)
• Cruise speed: ~500 mph (Mach 0.85 / 870 km/h)
• Range: ~4,000 miles (6,440 km)
• Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,700 m)
• Passengers: Typically 12–19
• Crew: 2 (plus optional flight attendant)

✨ Design Features:

• Swept-wing design with rear-mounted turbojet engines
• Pressurized cabin with stand-up headroom and oval windows
• Luxurious interior: Configurable for lounges, offices, beds, etc.
• Designed to fly nonstop across the U.S. or transatlantic with ease
• Used a T-tail layout for clean airflow and better control

🎯 Performance Highlights:

• Transcontinental and transatlantic capability made it a favorite among CEOs and government agencies
• Jet-powered performance marked a huge leap over the turboprop G-I
• Clean-sheet jet design, not a modified turboprop airframe

🛡️ Special Missions & Variants:

• Used by military and government agencies for VIP transport and special missions
• Some converted into aerial testbeds (e.g., NASA, Raytheon, and NOAA)
• Civilian variants were sometimes converted into freighters or flying laboratories
• One notable version: NASA's modified G-II for airborne research and sensor testing

🏁 Legacy:

• The G-II launched Gulfstream into the jet age and competed directly with the likes of Dassault Falcon and Learjet.
• It was the foundation for future models like the Gulfstream III, IV, and V—many of which retained the same fuselage cross-section.
• Though it’s out of production, some G-IIs remain airworthy today, mainly in private, charter, or experimental roles.

🔥 Fun Facts:

• The G-II was FAA-certified in 1967 and made waves as one of the first dedicated corporate jets with intercontinental range.
• It helped establish Gulfstream’s global reputation for performance, safety, and elegance in executive aviation.
• Rolls-Royce Spey engines, while thirsty by modern standards, were powerful and reliable in their day.