The Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I (often called G-I) was Grumman’s first foray into the world of executive and corporate aviation. Introduced in the late 1950s, it was a twin turboprop business aircraft that blended military-grade durability with business jet comfort, effectively launching the Gulfstream brand that would later become synonymous with high-end private jets.

🛩️ Overview:

• Role: Executive/corporate turboprop transport
• Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
• First flight: August 14, 1958
• Introduced: 1959
• Total built: 200
• Also used by: U.S. military and government as the VC-4A

🛠️ Key Specifications:

• Engines: 2 × Rolls-Royce Dart 529 turboprops (2,100 shp each)
• Wingspan: 78 ft 5 in (23.9 m)
• Length: 63 ft 8 in (19.4 m)
• Max speed: ~350 mph (563 km/h)
• Range: ~2,200 miles (3,540 km)
• Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,145 m)
• Crew: 2–3
• Passengers: 12 to 24 (configurable)

✨ Design Highlights:

• Low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear
• Large, round cabin windows and a pressurized fuselage—rare for business aircraft at the time
• Spacious cabin (similar to a regional airliner), with club seating, galley, lavatory
• Known for reliability and ruggedness, borrowing design philosophy from Grumman’s military aircraft

🔁 Civil & Military Use:

• Popular with corporate fleets, charter companies, and government agencies
• Several were converted to freighters or VIP transports
• The U.S. Navy and Air Force operated modified G-I aircraft for staff transport (VC-4A)
• Still in limited civilian service and private hands today

🔥 Fun Facts:

• The G-I was designed to replace piston-engine executive aircraft, offering jet-like speed with turboprop efficiency.
• It’s considered the grandfather of all Gulfstream jets—from the GII all the way to today’s G800.
• Its quiet and comfortable cabin helped change the perception of turboprop aircraft in the corporate world.

🏁 Legacy:

The Grumman Gulfstream I set the standard for luxury, long-range corporate aircraft, and established Gulfstream as a premium brand in business aviation. Though it was a turboprop, the G-I's performance, cabin size, and reliability paved the way for jet-powered successors like the Gulfstream II, GIII, and the entire modern G-series.