Gulfstream III
Gulfstream American · USA · first flew 1979 · transport aircraft
The Gulfstream III introduced a new supercritical wing and winglets to the large-cabin Gulfstream formula, significantly extending range and operating performance over the GII.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, tail-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Stretched fuselage versus GII with additional cabin windows; same large Spey-style engine pods but more refined nacelles |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Supercritical wing with a pronounced leading-edge sweep-angle change and winglets — the key visual difference from the GII
- Stretched fuselage versus GII with additional cabin windows; same large Spey-style engine pods but more refined nacelles
- Prominent winglets at the wing tips are the most reliable on-the-ramp cue against the un-wingletted GII
Against the GII the winglets and reshaped wing are diagnostic; against the GIV/G300 the GIII shows older, bulkier engine nacelles and lacks the GIV's redesigned cockpit windows. Fuselage length is intermediate between the two.
Specifications
- The Gulfstream III has a length of 25.32 m (83 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 23.72 m (78 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 928 km/h (577 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 flight crew.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in December 1979 and entering service in 1980, the GIII was produced until 1986 with 202 aircraft built. It bridged the gap between the GII and the fully redesigned GIV, sharing the fuselage cross-section of both while introducing advanced wing aerodynamics developed by Grumman engineers.
Variants
The GIII was offered in a single primary configuration; the US military operated it as the C-20 series in several sub-marks for VIP and special missions transport.
Where you'll see it
Largely retired from European civil operations but C-20 variants continue in US military service; historically a frequent visitor to Northolt, Farnborough and Luton in diplomatic and charter roles.
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