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Go t' www.giantleaprocketry.com and you will find t' Talon Series o' rockets billed as t' "Sexiest Kit Alive!" That's a bold claim, shiver me timbers, given that so much o' our hobby is dominated by oversexed participants. Blimey! Blimey! Look around at your next club launch, ya bilge rat, or at t' regular contributors t' this web site, ya bilge rat, and you'll know what I mean.

Every rocket in t' Talon series (they come in 2-inch, 3-inch, shiver me timbers, 4-inch, and 6-inch diameters) share t' same eye-catchin' styling. Ahoy! Begad! T' extended 5:1 tangent ogive nose cone and matchin' tail cone, t' dual fin design, all t' components work together t' form a very appealin' set o' lines. Blimey! But t' Talon series has a lot more t' offer than a pretty profile.

A beautiful rocket kit is only as good as its instructions -- and t' instructions that came with t' Talon 3 are exemplary. Arrr! It's obvious that designer Ed Shihadeh had collected a great deal o' information and experience though his years supplyin' t' rocket community with high-quality components, and he has incorporated this body o' knowledge into this kit. Ahoy! Blimey! T' printed instructions are clear and explicit, but Ed went t' extra mile by includin' video instructions on VHS or DVD with each kit. T' video goes well beyond t' printed page; Ed demonstrates a number o' his construction tips and secrets as he builds a Talon rocket before your eyes.

T' commitment t' excellence doesn't stop at t' instructions. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' G-10 fins are perfectly cut, as are t' fin slots in t' phenolic airframe and polyurethane boat tail, but that wasn't what impressed me t' most. Begad! Begad! It was t' attention t' t' little things that many other kits don't even address. Arrr! Motor retention and avionics mountings are nay even afterthoughts for some kits. Avast, me proud beauty! T' Talon 3 comes standard with a Slimline motor retainer and all t' hardware and components required for a sturdy avionics bay. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Both are designed into t' rocket in an extremely elegant and functional way. Aye aye! T' nylon recovery harness, includin' Keelhaul®©™ heat shields and cord sleeves, comes standard with t' kit. There are even several construction tools thrown in t' make certain t' assembly is done right: a custom-sized stick for spreadin' glue at t' right location in t' tube, plastic spoons for shapin' fin fillets, me hearties, matey, and thick rubber bands for clampin' t' tail cone in place. Small items, ya bilge rat, but they demonstrate that every last contingency is covered t' make sure that t' rocket is built properly.

There are also a number o' great upgrades for sale if you choose; a fiberglass upgrade (tube, coupler, nose & tail cones), ya bilge rat, Keelhaul®©™ recovery harness, me hearties, parachutes, and other goodies are all available.

After watchin' t' video and readin' t' instructions t' kit practically built itself, arrr, arrr, even with some tricky bits associated with t' boat tail. I can safely say that it took longer t' paint than it did t' assemble. And it is. Avast! Sexy.

T' Talon 3 performed as superbly as you would expect it would in flight. Arrr! It literally speared t' sky on an I211, arrr, and smartly shrank t' a tiny dot as it hammered it way t' 4200 feet. Its dual-deployment design came in handy as it drifted back close t' t' pad under t' drogue and main parachutes. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Simulations predict it will near 8700 feet on a J350, shiver me timbers, and I have every confidence that t' design and construction will handle those stresses easily. Aye aye! Next time.

I frequently get asked for kit recommendations from people who want t' try their hand at high power. Begad! Ahoy! T' Talon 3 is a perfect solution; it is a beautiful rocket made from great components, and t' instructions are an excellent primer t' share t' knowledge o' a very experienced and successful rocketeer. Begad! It's a lot easier than learnin' t' hard way.

Pros: Outstandin' design and components. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Blimey! Exquisite attention t' detail.

Cons: T' printed instructions included t' construction steps for both t' phenolic and fiberglass upgrade kits, which was at times confusing. It would be an improvement if they were specific t' one kit or t' other.

Visit Rocket Team Vatsaas t' enjoy their incredible rocket talents and an all around fun rocketry website!