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

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

Once I decided on t' 24mm mount, other modifications began t' suggest themselves. Blimey! I figured since I was uping performance with t' 24mm mount, I might as well save 25% o' fin drag by goin' with three fins instead o' four. Avast, me proud beauty! I liked the nose cone, matey, and I wanted t' make t' fins mirror t' sleek angle. Ahoy! Therefore, ya bilge rat, I cut three four inch extensions from the fin stock. Avast! Ya scallywag! I glued them t' t' regular fins before sandin' and finishin' them.

I then looked at t' aft o' t' rocket. Avast! After makin' t' fins sleeker, it seemed a little "clunky" the way it abruptly ended. 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. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' only part I used in t' modification that wasn't in t' original kit, was t' BT-50 motor mount. Blimey! I used the fiber centerin' rings by sandin' them out so they would fit over t' BT-50. Ahoy! Arrr! I inserted t' mount so that it hangs out one inch from t' back o' t' body tube, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, me bucko, and then glued t' cone over it.

My original idea be t' simply have t' fins stop at t' bottom o' t' body tube. Avast! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! However, when I showed me wife, she said that t' rocket should be able t' stand on it's own for display. I thought about it, arrr, me bucko, arrr, and t' next day I found myself cuttin' t' fins t' fit t' angle o' t' tail cone. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It was 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. Arrr!

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

Construction:
T' original kit comes with a 10 inch body tube, shiver me timbers, a very nice 5.5 inch balsa nose cone, ya bilge rat, 1/8 inch balsa stock for fins (uncut and unmarked), heavy card stock for t' fin patterns, ya bilge rat, 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. Arrr! 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! Begad! I didn't use t' 18mm tube, me bucko, but I did use t' engine hook.

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

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

... Arrr! long delay ...

...Anyway, me hearties, I've flown it twice. Begad! 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. Ahoy! Blimey!

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

Pro's- materials, shiver me timbers, matey, instructions, good packaging

Con's- Nay really any.

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