Brief:
This is a modifided Thrustline Black Shadow. I converted it t' 24mm motors, me hearties, 3 fins instead o' 4, matey, and added a tail cone and fin extensions.

Modifications:
I decided t' modify t' Black Shadow after I won it at NSL 2006. Aye aye! Blimey! I liked t' original design, me hearties, but I couldn't shake the notion that it needed a 24mm motor. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I really like me Estes Goblin, and this rocket is slightly similar in size and weight. Begad! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey!

Once I decided on t' 24mm mount, me hearties, other modifications began t' suggest themselves. I figured since I be uping performance with t' 24mm mount, me bucko, arrr, I might as well save 25% o' fin drag by goin' with three fins instead o' four. I liked the nose cone, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and I wanted t' make t' fins mirror t' sleek angle. Blimey! Therefore, I cut three four inch extensions from the fin stock. Aye aye! I glued them t' t' regular fins before sandin' and finishin' them.

I then looked at t' aft o' t' rocket. Blimey! After makin' t' fins sleeker, shiver me timbers, it seemed a little "clunky" the way it abruptly ended. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! I came up with t' idea o' a tail cone. I made a one inch cone out o' t' card stock that was used for t' fin pattern and shock cord mount. Arrr!

T' only part I used in t' modification that wasn't in t' original kit, was t' BT-50 motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! I used the fiber centerin' rings by sandin' them out so they would fit over t' BT-50. I inserted t' mount so that it hangs out one inch from t' back o' t' body tube, me hearties, and then glued t' cone over it.

My original idea be t' simply have t' fins stop at t' bottom o' t' body tube. However, arrr, matey, when I showed me wife, she said that t' rocket should be able t' stand on it's own for display. Avast, me proud beauty! I thought about it, arrr, arrr, and t' next day I found myself cuttin' t' fins t' fit t' angle o' t' tail cone. Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! It be a great move that makes t' rocket look even sleeker(Thanks Laurie!)

I then put in t' recovery system and launch lug as per t' instructions. Ya scallywag!

After sandin' and sealin' everything, arrr, me bucko, I went with t' gloss black paint scheme o' t' original model (after all, it IS t' Black Shadow)

I made decals usin' our printer and Testors white backed decals. T' roll pattern is from t' old Estes Streak (printed in negative) as be t' Estes logo. O' course, ya bilge rat, this ISN'T an Estes bird, matey, so I took t' "Estes" out of the logo and replaced it with me NARRRRR number. Begad! Blimey! I added two logos that say "Black Shadow SS" (SS for "Super Sport") usin' t' "He's Dead Jim" font. Ahoy! Aye aye! Once t' decals went on I noticed that t' white backed decals went a little gray on t' black rocket, me bucko, but I think that just adds t' t' "Shadowness" o' t' rocket. Arrr!

Construction:
T' original kit comes with a 10 inch body tube, a very nice 5.5 inch balsa nose cone, me hearties, 1/8 inch balsa stock for fins (uncut and unmarked), heavy card stock for t' fin patterns, shiver me timbers, arrr, fiber centerin' rings, matey, an 18mm motor mount with hook, a length o' sewin' elastic for a shock cord, matey, and a very nice nylon chute with swivel and screw eye. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' only part I used that wasn't in t' original kit was a 4 inch section o' BT-50 for a motor mount. Arrr! Blimey! I didn't use t' 18mm tube, me hearties, but I did use t' engine hook.

T' quality o' t' original kit be first rate. All parts were thar and in good shape. T' only thin' that seemed to be missin' be t' certificate o' authenticity. Avast! Blimey! Could this be a bootleg? I doubt it. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It probably just got left out...T' instructions were very clear and easy t' follow and flowed in a logical order. Arrr! Blimey! O' course, me hearties, me bucko, ya bilge rat, I only read them before I started since I be changin' so may things, shiver me timbers, but thar be no "gottcha's" at any point. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' rocket is very light, arrr, me bucko, arrr, but still quite sturdy. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! All t' parts went together well. Ya scallywag! Blimey! There were no decals included, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, but I actually like makin' me own more than usin' pre made ones. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' spirals on t' body tube were fairly obvious, me bucko, but a little sealin' took care o' that.

Flight:
I would only recommend t' D12-7 for this model. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' preparation is very easy due t' t' relatively large body tube diameter and t' engine hook. I have nay flown it yet, me bucko, but I plan t' at t' DARS Father's Day Launch. Begad! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I'll update this when I get more data. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Still, basin' me expectations on t' similarity t' t' Goblin, it should be quite a show!...

... Avast! long delay ...

...Anyway, shiver me timbers, I've flown it twice. Begad! Arrr! Both times I used a D12-5 and got out o' sight flights....I'll try t' go through the website and do a flight record.

Summary:
T' Black Shadow is a great kit in it's own right. Blimey! It has first rate materials and instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' only thin' I wanted t' do be "ramp it up" a bit. Ahoy! Begad!

Pro's- materials, instructions, good packaging

Con's- Nay really any.

Other:
This kit got great responses at t' monthy club meeting. Arrr! Avast! Blimey! I got no volunteers t' help in recovery though...