The circa 1972 Shadow was designed for beginner and advanced pilots, as a stable, easy to fly, glider.
The airframe is made from 6061-T6, 1 5/8in x .058 clear anodised seamless tubing. The spars are precisin drilled and the use of crush proof stainless steel bushings and plastic caps eliminate the need for wood dowelling. Cables are 3/32in 7×7 stainless aircraft and were available plain or PVC coated. The kingpost wires have turnbuckles and quick pin for assembly. All cable ends are nico pressed.
The nose plate, tangs, kingpost bracket, control bar bracket and shackles are stainless steel, and all nuts and bolts are aircraft grade.
The glider came equipped with a 50in control bar, adjustable wires for either seated or prone flying, and one piece waterproof bag. Deflexers, 60in control bar, J-wire, and vinyl-coated wires were optional.
Avialable in three sizes, the smallest was also used for towing. Stainless steel control bar with quick release, floats, fully battened sail, boat quick release and a 135 ft tow line were standard equipment on the 18×16 ft tow kite. A boat pylon was optional.
A custom sail was available in 11 different colours, made from 3.8oz stabilised dacron. All seamsdouble zig-zag stitched and cut for wing spar deflection. Tapered, applied leading edge pockets were standard.
The seat was constructed with webbing of 5/16in polypropelene rope, with a backstrap as standard. Simpson or P prone harnesses were available.
18×16
Leading edge: 18 ft
Keel length: 16 ft
Wing span: 25.5 ft
Wing area: 163 sq,ft
Aspect ratio: 3.84
Nose angle: 90˚
Sail billow: 4˚
Weight: 40 lb
Pilot weight: 100-150 lb
Takeoff speed: 12 mph
Stall speed: 15 mph
Max speed: 40 mph
Best glide ratio (L/D): 5-1
Best L/D speed: 24 mph
Min sink: 375 fpm
19×17
Leading edge: 19 ft
Keel length: 17 ft
Wing span: 27 ft
Wing area: 190 sq,ft
Aspect ratio: 3.84
Nose angle: 90˚
Sail billow: 4˚
Weight: 42 lb
Pilot weight: 130-180 lb
Takeoff speed: 12 mph
Stall speed: 15 mph
Max speed: 40 mph
Best glide ratio (L/D): 5-1
Best L/D speed: 24 mph
Min sink: 375 fpm
20×18
Leading edge: 20 ft
Keel length: 18 ft
Wing span: 28.5 ft
Wing area: 203 sq,ft
Aspect ratio: 3.84
Nose angle: 90˚
Sail billow: 4˚
Weight: 43 lb
Pilot weight: 160-210 lb
Takeoff speed: 12 mph
Stall speed: 15 mph
Max speed: 40 mph
Best glide ratio (L/D): 5-1
Best L/D speed: 24 mph
Min sink: 375 fpm
All Aero 