Brief:
T' Black Diamond is a single staged LPR that recovers on a streamer. Aye aye! Aye aye! It comes in t' "Launchables" (1452) Starter set. T' set also includes t' Astron Outlaw. Well, blow me down! T' Black Diamond is an easy build that would be great for beginners. Avast!

Construction:
T' parts list:

• 1 Body Tube BT-20
• 1 Two Piece Nose Cone
• 1 1/8" Launch Lug
• 1 Shock Cord (1/8" x 12")
• 1 Streamer
• 1 Engine Block
• 5 Cardstock Fins

As with all t' Estes kits that I have seen, shiver me timbers, me bucko, t' instructions are well illustrated and a breeze t' follow. Aye aye! I loved the fact they included suggested fin configurations.

T' only problem I had with t' construction be t' fins. Blimey! I chose t' only put 3 o' t' 5 fins on t' rocket. Since t' fins are cardstock, they are fairly flimsy. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! T' add t' t' problem you are supposed t' sand off t' tabs that held them t' t' sheet. Ya scallywag! This further reduces t' stability o' t' fin because t' cardstock begins t' separate (it's in layers). After finishin' it wasn't too noticeable, but was still a problem.

Overall it be a good construction and one I would recommend for beginners.

Finishing:
This be an easy rocket t' finish especially since thar was no balsa t' fill. Begad! You can do it very simply with one color or add multiple colors t' add interest. Aye aye! Aye aye! I didn't fill t' tube spirals, but I did use three coats o' sandable primer which covered most o' t' spirals up. Begad! Blimey! T' first step was t' put three coats o' primer (wet sandin' betwixt each coat) on it. Then put a coat o' red on it for accents. Next I masked off t' areas I wanted t' remain red and then coated it with a black top coat and a clear coat. Finally I put t' "Black Diamond" sticker decal on the rocket. Arrr! Fin decals are included, me bucko, but I decided t' forgo puttin' them on because I thought it looked better without them.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
In order t' prep for flight, me hearties, me bucko, use a few sheets o' wadding. Ahoy! Blimey! Then in order t' put t' streamer in t' rocket, fold the it in half and then in half again and roll it. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Wrap t' shock cord around it loosely and then put it in t' body tube and put t' nosecone on. Avast! Blimey! T' motor much be friction fit t' keep it in t' rocket.

T' first flight be with a A8-3 since it was t' be launched on a small field. Blimey! Blimey! T' flight be nice and straight and higher than I expected. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' streamer ejected at apogee and t' rocket recovered nicely.

T' second flight was also with a A8-3. T' flight be good, but t' streamer ejected late because thar was a little too much wadding.

T' third flight be another A8-3. Begad! This time I reduced t' waddin' t' prevent t' problem that was seen in the second flight. Avast! Blimey! T' flight be excellent, arrr, but t' streamer came back a bit burned. T' fins got a little damage from a slightly harder landin' than I expected.

Recovery:
T' shock cord mount is a typical Estes mount. You are instructed t' glue t' shock cord in a paper mount that you cut out from t' directions. Ahoy! Then t' mount is glued into t' body tube. Avast! Aye aye! T' cord is a good length and held up well in the three flights t' Black Diamond has had. I might have chosen a slightly bigger streamer, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but it seems t' work fine so far. I might replace it since it got singed in t' last flight.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
In me opinion, me hearties, this is an excellent rocket for t' beginnin' builder. Arrr! Arrr! Estes made a good choice when they included it in t' starter set.

PROs: T' design allows for multiple fin configurations. I also love it when a kit lets you decide part o' the design. Begad! Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! Easy t' build--great for beginners.

CONs: T' Cardstock Fins--the fins are very easily damaged. Ahoy! It seems that it is nay difficult t' knock them. Avast, me proud beauty!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5