converted to this G-1159B Gulfstream GIIB
configuration.
The GIII also started to penetrate the
US military market. The GII had already
seen service with the US Coast Guard as a
Washington-based executive transport, but
the US Air Force started to adopt the GIII
as the C-20A, C-20B and C-20C for a wide
range of missions with the C-20D and C-20E
serving with the US Navy and US Army.
The type was also acquired by many
foreign governments including Italy, Ireland,
Oman and Saudi Arabia for general official
transport. In 1983 Gulfstream sold three
examples, designated SMA-3, to the Royal
Danish Air Force equipped with an APS-127
search radar for maritime patrol and fishery
protection duties. The Indian Air Force
also acquired two fitted with long-range
surveillance camera installations.MAJOR REDESIGN –
THE GULFSTREAM IV
In 1983, Gulfstream initiated a major
redesign of the aircraft. The GIV had a
further fuselage stretch (of 4ft 6in [1.37m])
but the principal change was a completely
new wing with a much lighter structure. It
also had new 13,850lb/st Rolls-Royce
RB.183 Tay Mk611-8 turbofans, which met
the new noise rules, were significantly more
fuel efficient – and were recognisably larger
than the earlier Speys.
The GIV was the first Gulfstream to
have a glass cockpit and was fitted with thenew Honeywell SPZ 8000 system – later
upgraded to the SPZ 8400 package. At this
point, the original Grumman type number
was abandoned and G-1159 was dropped in
favour of the designation GIV.
The prototype GIV (N404GA, c/n 1000)
was flown on September 19, 1985 and FAAcertification followed on April 22, 1987. The
GIV became the basis for a range of variants
that have remained in production since
the mid-1980s. The first upgrade was the
GIV-SP, which was announced in 1993 with
a redesigned main cabin, increased useful
load and some performance improvements,
including a shorter landing distance.
This was followed in 2001 by the G450
(introducing a new Gulfstream designation
system) which had 12in (0.3m) added to the
fuselage and a repositioned main entry door
giving more space behind the cockpit.
The G450’s performance was again
improved by the use of Rolls-Royce Tay
611-8C engines in new nacelles and with
redesigned thrust reversers. It had an
increased 4,350nm (8,056m) range, but
Gulfstream also offered the G350, which
was a shorter-range, economy model
although very few of these were sold. One
of the most significant features of the G450
was the Honeywell PlaneView advanced
cockpit display, which set a new benchmark
for the business jet industry. The G450
remains in production and will be replaced
by the G500 when that model comes into
service later this year.
With customers continually demanding
more range and more cabin comfort,
Gulfstream initiated its GV programme in
1982 using the basis of the GIV airframe
married to a new, longer-span wing and a
fuselage stretched by 8ft 1in (2.46m). It
was also recognisable by the redesigned60 Aviation News incorporating Jets September 2017GULFSTREAM GUIDE
It is far from easy telling one Gulfstream model
from another, but there are some features that
help identification. All models, other than the GII
have winglets – although some GIIs have been
retrofitted with them. The GII is identified by the
cockpit glazing, which has two side windows,
while later models from the GIII onwards have
streamlined single-piece windshields and one
window on each side and sleeker noses.
The GII and GIII have five cabin windows on
each side, the GIV and -450 have six, the GV
(and G550) seven and the G650/G650ER eight.
The new G500 (starting with serial number
seven) has seven windows as does the G600.
Some individual Gulfstreams, particularly military
versions, have fewer windows to fit in with the
internal cabin equipment. The GV and G550
have a noticeably longer fuselage than the GIV/
G450 and have a distinctive fairing on the tip of
the fin. However, to complicate matters further
some other Gulfstreams have been fitted with
avionics antennas on the fin tip. When it comes
to engines, the nacelles on the GII and GIII are
noticeably slimmer than those of later models.
Finally, the shaping of the nose section of the
G650, G500 and G600 is noticeably similar and
distinctly different from earlier models.Gulfstream IV HB-ITX of the Geneva-based charter company,
PrivatAir. The type made its debut in 1985. Key-Alan WarnesA stretched fuselage, longer range and Rolls-Royce BR710
engines differentiated the GV over the GIV. Key Collection58-63_gulfstreamDC.mfDC.mfDC.indd 60 04/08/2017 14:15