[johnpeace]

I'm looking at a WW Talon 140 (crossbar has a test date in mid 2002, so I'm guessing that's when it was assembled...before the 2003 sail changes)

From what I gather reading about it, it sounds like a better performing, better handling, safer glider than the Ram Air or Fusion (both of which I have experience with and find perfectly suitable for my flying style, skill level and needs).

Any current or former Talon pilots care to weigh in with any helpful information or tips for evaluating one that's been in storage for 9 years and is now for sale?

[Jason]

[johnpeace]

The price is right and it's in good condition.

It seems like the current generation of well-equipped HG pilot (especially the ones that started flying since 2005) are deathly afraid of any wing manufactured before 2003-2005...which sort of shapes the tone of the input you get from them.

[Jason]

[johnpeace]

I talked to the guy who made some repairs on this wing after it 'broke' and then traded some emails with Steve Pearson.

I'm excited!

This looks like a great opportunity and pending Ricker's successful inspection, I think I'm going to go for it!

[yuvinb]

I fly a 2004 TALON 150 that was stored for 5 years after only 10 hours in the air.
I didn't get to fly other topless gliders so I can't really compare.
I like the Talon very much, its a little stiff in roll but you get use to it after a couple of hours, the glide is very good and takeoffs/landings are very natural (just ignore the high ground speed).
After purchase I contacted WW and after giving them the details they gave me their recommendation for treatment (after the long storage) - which was somthig like "you don't have to change anything, go fly" .
I say go for it, great glider.

[jimrooney]

My first topless was a 140 Talon
I've got loads of hours on it and have flown many many other toplesses.

The Talon's a nice friendly wing. I'd say if the price is right and it's in good shape, go ahead and grab it. Flies easy, lands easy, goes pretty well. Good glider.

It does go much better than a Ram Air or Fusion. As mentioned, not as well as a T2, but who would expect it to? ;)

Think of it in the category of a U2 and you've got the right idea. It's a tad heavier, a tad stiffer, but then it's a tad older isn't it?

Jim

[fakeDecoy]

Certain models from the 90s can be great. Some suck balls, but others like the HPAT seem ahead of their time. I've flown several gliders from the 80s and 90s in the last few years. I got away with it... but I had a wire break once that hadn't even appeared kinked. You can't always spot everything, and there's going to be something.

I think we would buy fewer used gliders if we had to first watch every whack the glider had and every time it was broken down improperly or otherwise abused.

[Z]

I've been flying that exact same one for 4 years and it's a great glider! It took a while to get it to behave as it had previously been owned by a comp pilot and was twanged out to the max. Rob Kells and I went back and fourth about was to "soften" it up a little (improve the handling)....We changed: the spring battens to the WW hinge batten end to allow for more softening at the root (1st 4 inboard
battens have very little tension) and adjustment out towards the tips. Cut 1/8 inch off the LARGE end of the fiberglass tip wand. Another thing Steve Peason discovered was the LE tension adjustment had slipped a little and the LE tension was riding on the tip wands. That effected handling. We put that adjustment back to factory setting (marked on the inside of the sail at the adjustment point)
which took tension off the tip wands....made the thing handle like a dream. I flew it back home last spring from our mountain (a 102 mile dogleg)....it dosent give up to much to the state of the art stuff. Not bad for a $2000 diver!

[Paul H]

I think you're a decade off with your assessment. The HPAT was from the 80's. Which gliders from the 90's sucked balls? The 90's seemed to be when the manufactureres got it together and found out how to make the gliders perform and land nicely.

[Eteamjack]

Can't compare the 140, but I did own and fly the larger 150, fusion , and Ram Air.
It was by far a superior flying aircraft. Loads more fun, but a little scary in short field no wind landings as the glide was much longer and faster.

[fakeDecoy]

90s gliders were hit and miss. I don't like anything about the K5, and the Super Sport is fun but has a mind of its own and isn't all that fast. WW had it pretty well figured out in 1989 with the HPAT but it's like they ignored it and took a leap backwards with later kingposted gliders until the U2.

[johnpeace]

I bought it!

It's on Ricker's car headed home from FL as we speak.

I'll order some side wires, tip wands and (if they aren't too expensive) the spring-to-lever batten tip conversion kit from Wills this week.

Can't wait to fly it!

[flyin_canuck]

Don't forget the wheels

[Jason]

[flyin_canuck]

[Jason]

[Paul H]

The Supersport was an intermediate glider unlike the HPAT. You shouldn't expect it to be very speedy. It did thermal and land quite well.

[DBrose]

I flew a HPAT a couple yrs ago and it was the worst glider ever.....I'd rather fly my fusion unhooked than a HPAT on a epic day...

[fakeDecoy]