Contact: Glen Moyer
Sales & Marketing Director

Thunder & Colt, US
T&C Balloons US, Inc. is a Texas registered corporation owned by a group of ballooning enthusiasts led by Peter Vizzard and Judy Lynne of Australia. The company was formed in July of 1994 following the purchase of the assets Airborne America, then a wholly owned subsidiary of Thunder & Colt Ltd., UK. Airborne America had been operating in the US for six years and the Thunder & Colt product has been sold in the US for more than 20 years.

Later in 1994, Airborne Group Plc (UK), and its various divisions, including Thunder & Colt Ltd., UK were placed into receivership. The hot air ballooning division, Thunder & Colt Ltd. (UK), was purchased in December 1994 by Cameron Balloons Ltd. and is now a division of that company. Production and sales of the entire T&C line of product was moved to Bristol making the Cameron/T&C facility the largest hot air balloon manufacturing plant in the world.

T&C Balloons US, Inc. continues to operate from its custom designed manufacturing facility in Longview, Texas which has been operational now for more than a year. Don Cameron and his staff in the UK have committed to continuing the same standards of design excellence and technical support that have been the hallmark of the entire Thunder & Colt product range.

Among those features that separate Thunder & Colt from the competition are:

LongLife Fabric: Thunder & Colt was first to introduce a super-strong long-lasting fabric. With its Limited Warranty for 500 hours, LongLife fabric is now provided standard in the parachute and top two panels of every new balloon built by Thunder & Colt .

Stratus Burners: Evolved from years of research and development, the Stratus includes point and shoot main blast action, a central gimbal block eliminating the need for an inner frame and allowing for flat storage, unbeatable magnum power and new ergonomic design. Plus it is available with a unique adjustable frame.

TEMA Quick-Connects: Thunder & Colt was first to offer as standard equipment this quick-connect fuel system. A simple snap assures a correct fit each and every time. With no threads to cross or match, the TEMA quick-connect saves time when rigging and the twist-lock feature guarantees a secure seal. Of course, ÒRegoÓ connections are an available option.

90¡ Ball Valves: Another Thunder & Colt first! With a simple glance you can easily ascertain which tanks are open and which are shut. Plus the quick acting handle can be closed in an instant should the situation demand.

ParaClear: Thunder & ColtÕs unique window to the sky and a T&C exclusive! No more wondering ÔAm I clear above?Õ With T&CÕs paraclear inserts, you can see whoÕs above you. Each T&C balloon includes two inserts as standard.

The Classic Basket: With its stainless steel top and bottom frame for extra strength and rigidity, no other basket can match a T&C for quality of construction and comfort for passengers. Our high sides are a T&C feature that insure greater safety for both passengers and pilot. Our marine plywood floors assure that your feet remain on something solid even while in the air. And, our T-partition baskets, another T&C original, are still considered the industryÕs best passenger ride basket by ride operators worldwide.

CPR Valve: Center Pull & Return says it all. This is the latest option for a more efficient parachute valve and it is now awaiting FAA approval for a supplemental type certificate.

Nomex Scoop: No one offers you more Nomex flame retardent protection for your balloon than Thunder & Colt. Our scoops are built completely of Nomex, and for an added layer of protection, the entire first throat panel is also constructed entirely of Nomex.

System Prices: The following system prices are examples of both the sport and ride balloons available from Thunder & Colt US. However they do not reflect our complete product line. For a system price on a particular size not shown here, please contact the factory or the T&C dealer nearest you.

Sporting Systems:
T&C Balloons US, Inc. offers a complete line of sporting balloons from our tiniest one-man cloudhoppers*, to our single and dual chariots**, right up to the more traditional 77 and 90,000 cubic foot models. For 1995, our sport models have been upgraded to include our Classic basket and the new adjustable Stratus double burners. T&C system prices are based on the following equipment: Series I (12-gore) envelope, Classic basket, adjustable double Stratus burners, two 15-gallon stainless steel tanks with jackets and straps and the Ball M55 instrument package. Our envelopes include a Nomex scoop, full Nomex protection in the throat, LongLife fabric in the parachute and top two panels and two paraclear inserts.

AX7-65		 65,000 cu.ft.	$23,655
AX7-77		 77,000 cu.ft.	$25,065
AX8-90		 90,000 cu.ft.	$26,730
AX8-105		105,000 cu.ft.	$27,635

AX9-120		120,000 cu.ft.	$38,423
AX10-160	160,000 cu.ft.	$42,878
AX10-180	180,000 cu.ft.	$45,330
AX11-210	210,000 cu.ft.	$47,452
AX11-240	240,000 cu.ft.	$48,442

As the restructuring of Thunder & Colt continues in the UK and the US, watch for new product developments like the Stratus single, triple and quad burners in both fixed height and adjustable frames and our CPR-center pull and return valve. As these and other new products are introduced, some system prices may vary accordingly.

*Cloudhoppers are non-registered ultralight aircraft. Chariots are not US-type certified.