Thrustline Black Shadow #102

[mach7]

I opened the bag today!

I am very happy. The standard high quality Thrustline parts with a bonus. A 12 in nylon parachute!

I have built 4 Thrustline kits in the past, but this is the first "original design". The other kits have been parts packs for clones so this is the first time I have had the pleasure of using Johns instruction. They are very complete with photos in every step.

The fin pattern sheet is heavy paper and should make tracing the fins easier.

Round it all out with a certificate of authenticity and what you have is a really nice rocket.

I'll take photos along the way.

 

[mach7]

The motor mount is done. Standard stuff. A notch is cut out of one centering ring for the motor hook. I deviated from the instructions with the kevlar cord, after I tied it to the motor tube I used thick CA glue to attach it firmly.

Cutting the fins is next. Plenty of sheet balsa is supplied. The thick fin pattern helped with tracing the fins.

The last thing I did was mark the body tube. Unfortunately the fin guide was just a tad bit to small, no matter I used my Estes tube marking guide.

 

[BobH48]

Looks good so far, Mark.

Maybe I should pull out my #89 Black Shadow And get it in the build queue.

 

[mach7]

You should! It's a nice rocket. Clean design and looks to be a quick build.

I installed the motor mount last night and should finish construction today. Finishing will have to wait until next week, I have to travel for a few days.

On a side topic I noticed that John uses black fiber centering rings, as does FlisKits and BMS. Semroc uses laser cut card stock, and Estes use die cut card stock. Interesting to see different solutions to the same need.

 

[jbuscaglia]

Looks good so far, Mark.

Maybe I should pull out my #89 Black Shadow And get it in the build queue.

I bought #42 on E-bay quite a few years ago. I dug it out of the box o' kits (OK, one of many boxes o' kits) when John announced its return. I haven't started it yet, though.

 

[mach7]

3 way drag race? Or maybe 4, doesn't Tony have one also?

Does the original release have the nylon parachute? That was a nice touch I thought.

 

[mach7]

Major construction done.

Here it is Nekid. I guess I have to paint it black. That will have to wait untill next week.

 

[jbuscaglia]

3 way drag race? Or maybe 4, doesn't Tony have one also?

Does the original release have the nylon parachute? That was a nice touch I thought.

Mylar.

It is a nice touch. When I saw the nylon chute in your post, I was envious.

 

[JAL3]

Does the original release have the nylon parachute? That was a nice touch I thought.

That struck me too. I thought that looked like a nylon chute in there but I said to myself, "naw, it couldn't be". But it is?!!

Class Act Thrustline!!!!!

 

[tonypv]

3 way drag race? Or maybe 4, doesn't Tony have one also?

Does the original release have the nylon parachute? That was a nice touch I thought.

No Mark.
I don't have a Black Shadow but I have many other Thrustline kits.

 

[RangerStl]

Am I seeing things or is the balsa grain running parallel to the body tube instead of the fin leading edge?

N

 

[Boosterdude]

Am I seeing things or is the balsa grain running parallel to the body tube instead of the fin leading edge?

N

I saw the same thing. Mach 7 you might want to make new fins or you could laminate them with paper to gain the require strength.

 

[mach7]

Yup, My bad.

I cut them wrong. I'll have to laminate them. I soaked them in CA, but I don't think it's enough.

 

[mach7]

It's done.

I papered the fins with label paper. It worked good. 3 coats of flat black and it looks good to me. This is a nice looking rocket that I would expect will fly real nice.

 

[Boosterdude]

Looks good Mach, the flat black paint job really looks good.

 

[mach7]

Thanks John.

I tried metallic black, but it did not look good so I went with the flat black.

It's simple, but I think looks nice.

 

[Pantherjon]

That looks really nice Mark! I think I am going to use the same black I used on my 'Bio-Hazard' rocket I built for last years Box of Parts contest...

Bio-Hazard

 

[Boosterdude]

Agreed, it looks excellent. Flat black looks good on a lot of things....U2, SR-71, F-117, and now the Black Shadow.

Great job Mark.

 

[mach7]

Pantherjon, Thats a nice looking rocket.

Has it flown yet?

Thanks guys.

 

[Pantherjon]

Pantherjon, Thats a nice looking rocket.

Has it flown yet?

Thanks guys.

Thanks Mark! Yeah, it has flown a number of times..It is 3x18mm powered..Currently it is on the sideline after its last launch where it lost a fin(the one almost pointing toward the camera) on recovery..Will need to fashion up a new one for this weekends launch..