Thunder & Colt, US
PO Box 2545
Longview, Texas 75606-2545
(903) 297-0003
FAX (903) 297-0444

Contact: Guy Gauthier, T&C Balloon US or
Crispin Williams,
Thunder & Colt
International Sales & Marketing
St. John Street,
Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4NH, England
Tel: 44 117 9532772 Fax: 44117 966 3638

Thunder & Colt retains full USA Type Certification with all changes and upgrades now incorporated into the entire product range. Certification into Canada can be made via the U.S. type certificate.

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. 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 a 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. Vapor pilot lights are now an optional extra.

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, "Rego" 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 & Colt’s unique window to the sky and a T&C exclusive! No more wondering ‘Am I clear above?’ With T&C’s ParaClear inserts, you can see who’s 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 industry’s best passenger ride basket by ride operators worldwide.

The Smart Vent with center pull and return action is now offered as an extra on all T&C envelopes. Plus, the new TRI VENT envelope deflation system is now available on smaller sized envelopes as a no cost option.

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.	$24,930
AX7-77	77,000 cu.ft.	$26,415
AX8-90	90,000 cu.ft.	$27,763
AX8-105	105,000 cu.ft.	$29,398

Ride Balloons:
T&C Balloons US, Inc. offers a complete range of ride balloons unequaled in their quality of construction and passenger comfort. The following sample system prices are based on the following equipment: A-type envelope (24 or 28-gore) with Nomex scoop and full Nomex throat, LongLife fabric in the parachute and top two panels with two ParaClear inserts, rotational vents; double adjustable Status burners, two 15-gallon stainless steel tanks with jackets and straps, Ball M55 instruments and Classic T-partition baskets.

AX9-120	120,000 cu.ft.	$35,263
AX10-160	160,000 cu.ft.	$41,650
AX10-180	180,000 cu.ft.	$46,738
AX11-210	210,000 cu.ft.	$49,288
AX11-240	240,000 cu.ft.	$51,523

(Prices for Sport and Ride Balloons when fully imported, ex UK. Less, if factory built in the USA from a UK kit.)
Prices are a guide only and subject to final quote.

All T&C systems include your choice of color patterns, any panel-any color at no extra charge. Other standard equipment includes a fire extinguisher, map case, accessory bag, two strikers and basket cover. As the restructuring of Thunder & Colt continues in the UK and the US, check for new product developments like the Stratus single adjustable, triple and quad burners in fixed height and our new TRI VENT envelope deflation and control system. As these and other new products are introduced, some system prices may vary accordingly. Always call or fax for a specific quote.

Special Shapes remain one of T&C’s specialties with two T&C engineers moving to Bristol UK and combining their expertise with the Cameron UK engineers. Now a vast range of shapes are available. Contact Crispin Williams in the UK direct for a custom color rendition.

Hot-Air Airships have continued in production and are available, but without U.S. type-certification at this time.

NB. *Cloudhoppers are non-registered ultralight aircraft. **Chariots are not US type-certified, but may be flown on British registration, as is the case with special shapes.

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