Produced for seven years between 1979 and 1986, Gulfstream built 202 GIIIs
Pre-Gulfstream III
On August 14 1958, Grumman first flew the G-159 executive transport, better known as the Gulfstream I. Entering mass production the following year, being sold to corporate operators like Disney and Ford, as well as high net worth individuals.
Proving quite successful, Grumman had built over 150 by 1965. However, new orders for the Gulfstream I were beginning to slow due to the introduction of newer jet-powered aircraft like the Falcon 20, BAe 125 and Lockheed JetStar.
Not only were they more practical and reliable, these jet-powered aircraft were also faster and longer ranges, many of which were able to fly transatlantic which corporate operators were becoming increasingly more interested in.
Seeing the shift in consumer wants, Grumman began designing a jet-powered VIP transport capable of transporting up to 14 people in standard seating and 19 people in maximum seating on transatlantic flights.
This aircraft became the G-1159, better known as the Gulfstream G-II. Having its first flight on October 2 1966, the G-II entered service the following year where it quickly became quite popular.
Over a 13 year period (1967-1980), a total of 256 G-IIs were built and sold, with its operators including multinational corporations, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller (who personally owned the G-II and used it as Air Force Two) and several military operators.
However, by the mid-1970’s orders had once again begun to slow, as newer jets like the Dassault Falcon 50 and Canadair Challenger were announced…
Development
Wanting to stay ahead of the competition, as well as take advantage of new advances in aerodynamics, the newly independent Gulfstream (who’d been acquired by aviation businessman Allen Paulson in 1978) began designing a successor to the G-II.
Operational History
Private Jet
Corporate Jet
Charter
Military
NASA
Features
Price
Prior to Gulfstream ceasing production of the GIII in 1986, the price for a brand new jet was roughly $37 million, making it by far the most expensive jet then on offer by Gulfstream.
Since Gulfstream stopped producing the G-1159A, however, the only way to acquire one would be on the secondary market. Fortunately, there are several Gulfstream IIIs currently up for sale…
On the low-end, a GIII from between 1979 and 1981 with well over 15,000 hours on it, will set you back anywhere from $650,000 to $700,000 depending on things like age, condition and the exact number of hours.
For an average-priced Gulfstream III, you’d be looking at paying between $950,000 and $1.1 million, with the jet typically being built around 1982 or 1983 and having roughly 12,000 hours total flight time.
On the higher end, a “newer” GIII from between 1984 and 1986 will set you back anywhere from $1.35 to $1.6 million depending on age, condition and most importantly, the number of hours on the fuselage, which usually total a little more than 10,000.
In terms of cost to operate, the G-1159A is similarly quite expensive to operate, costing $5,571 per hour to operate assuming you were to fly it for 450 hours per year.
Specifications
| Specifications | Gulfstream III |
|---|---|
| Length | 83 ft 1 in (25.32 m) |
| Wingspan | 77 ft 10 in (23.72 m) |
| Height | 24 ft 4.5 in (7.43 m) |
| Crew | 2 (optional third) |
| Passengers | 14 |
| Cruise Speed | 819 km/h (509 mph; 442 kn) |
| Range | 6,760 km (4,200 mi; 3,650 nmi) |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft (14,000 m) |
| MTOW | 69,700 lb (31,615 kg) |
How Safe is The Gulfstream III?
What’s it Like to Fly on The Gulfstream III?
What do you think about the Gulfstream III? Have you ever flown on it? Tell me in the comments!
Featured image courtesy of Cory W. Watts via Flickr.