Grumman began the design of this aircraft in the mid-1950's. Though it was intended for only 10-14 passengers, a high density seating plan allows for a maximum of 24 passengers. The plane uses two Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines. The overall layout is that of a low-wing monoplane transport, with a retractable tricycle landing gear. The craft is pressurized by a system able to maintain a 1675 m cabin altitude up to 7620 m. The baggage compartment is also pressurized. An Auxiliary Power Unit allows for electrical power and air-conditioning before the main engine is actually started.

The prototype of the Gulfstream I flew for the first time on August 14, 1958, and was awarded FAA certification on May 21, 1959. Most of the Gulfstream I's went to North American customers. In the 1980's, some of these have been 'stretched' to hold more passengers, but remain basically the same.

The C-4 is a military modification of the commercial Gulfstream I aircraft, manufactured by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (GAC) Savannah, Georgia. The first G-159 prototype flew on August 14, 1958. The aircraft entered production in 1959. The U.S. Coast Guard has been operating Gulfstream aircraft since 1963 when it purchased a Gulfstream I. The aircraft, designated VC-4A, remains in service. USCG 102, a VC-4A GULFSTREAM I, is one of the few GULFSTREAM I aircraft remaining in US Government service. Stationed at CGAS Miami, 102 is used to provide VIP transport and to ferry personnel throughout District 7. In late 1966 the Navy ordered a variant of the Grumman Gulfstream, the TC-4C Academe. The TC-4C was equipped for instruments and navigation bombadier/navigator training for the A-6 Intruder and was first flown on 14 June 1967. Deliveries of the TC-4C Academe began in October 1967 and were completed in May 1968.

Note: Pictured on this page is the C-4 Academe. The only considerable difference between this and the Gulfstream I is the nose; the Gulfstream's being signicantly shorter.

Manufacturer: Grumman

Powerplant: (2) Rolls-Royce Dart 529-8X, 2185 hp each

Length: 67' 11" (20.7 m)

Wingspan: 78' 4" (23.8 m)

Gross Weight: 36,000 lbs (16,326 kg)

Maximum speed: 350 mph (375 knots)

Climb rate: 9.7 m/s

Ceiling: 35,570 ft (10670 m)

Takeoff roll: 635 m

Landing roll: 460 m

Range: 2240 miles (3780 km)

Crew: 2

Payload: 10-24 passengers