How does this pack work? I have downloaded and installed it in the same folder where the game resides but I can not see any additional Shadow Hawk mech in my Mechbay.

Does this DLC work differently than I think? Do I have to start a new game for it to work?

You have to be signed into a Paradox account to use the Shadow Hawk skin.

Ah so this is how it works. Thank you for your answer.
:-)

It's the DRM part of the No-DRM software no-one told you about.

I can't find it even when signed in. I tried changing the paint pattern and that works but could find no special pattern for the Shadow Hawk, just the same ones as all other mechs. I installed the DLC in GOG Galaxy that should have enabled it.

This is something that I am thoroughly disgusted about, a DRM component in a non-DRM version of a game.

Nevertheless, I worked through the steps of creating a Paradix account, and being a kickstarter backer, used my Shadowhawk backer kit key. It took a few minutes of waiting but eventually I got a successful message. BUT, I too have been unable to find where the hell I activate this thing in-game. Just ridiculous how difficult they have made this "reward" to access. Plus I have read that if while in-game I log out of Paradix then the Shadowhawk skin becomes inaccessible again. Agh!!!!!

This combined with the total lack of 21:9 support and other issues leaves me totally regretting my backing this project.

Can someone give me directions on how to activate it. I have
1.) installed the DLC - it is ticked on gog galaxy
2.) I have a paradox account - and I am logged in while playing but there is no option to change it?
what have i missed?

Same. I've looked at a dozen different posts about where the option is, but it's just not appearing in my game on the Shadowhawk.

Tried uninstalling, reinstalling, logging in, logging out and back in etc. No dice.

I found an installer within downloads that was named to suggest it was the shadow hawk pack. It it was in GOG Galaxy where I clicked on it and then clicked on the download in the bottom left to show in fkider which evealed the installer.

Activating it however did not reveal the skin in game and seemed to make the game much slower in mechlab on ship, especially when selecting paint schemes.

i have the same issue......

In your library on web GOG you can see serial for Shadow Hawk DLC. You have to start the game. Log in with Paradox account (if you don't have one you have to create it). Then on the top right is button Manage and in the new window there is Redeem code. Here you should insert the code for Shadow Hawk. For me it takes several minutes of waiting before code was accepted. After that you should have special Shadow Hawk build in MechBay if you switch off Stock button.

Beware - if you log off from Paradox in game, the Shadow Hawk probably disapper and you have to log in with Paradox account again.

You have to have Shadow Hawk pack as pre-order. In your account where you see installer files there is "More" button. If you click it, there is a Serial keys link and there you should see serial number for Shadow Hawk.

Is this really only a skin or is it a new mech?

Its only a skin and you can change it on a Shadowhawk, if you have the Shadowhawk in your mechbay.