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

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, me bucko, t' instructions are well illustrated and a breeze t' follow. Well, blow me down! I loved the fact they included suggested fin configurations.

T' only problem I had with t' construction be t' fins. Ahoy! Avast! I chose t' only put 3 o' t' 5 fins on t' rocket. Since t' fins are cardstock, they are fairly flimsy. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! T' add t' t' problem you are supposed t' sand off t' tabs that held them t' t' sheet. Avast! 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, ya bilge rat, but be still a problem.

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

Finishing:
This was an easy rocket t' finish especially since thar was no balsa t' fill. Ahoy! You can do it very simply with one color or add multiple colors t' add interest. Aye aye! I didn't fill t' tube spirals, me hearties, but I did use three coats o' sandable primer which covered most o' t' spirals up. Ya scallywag! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! T' first step be 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Fin decals are included, 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, use a few sheets o' wadding. Blimey! Then in order t' put t' streamer in t' rocket, fold the it in half and then in half again and roll it. Ya scallywag! Wrap t' shock cord around it loosely and then put it in t' body tube and put t' nosecone on. T' motor much be friction fit t' keep it in t' rocket.

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

T' second flight was also with a A8-3. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' flight was good, me bucko, but t' streamer ejected late because thar was a little too much wadding.

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

Recovery:
T' shock cord mount is a typical Estes mount. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! You are instructed t' glue t' shock cord in a paper mount that you cut out from t' directions. Then t' mount is glued into t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' cord is a good length and held up well in the three flights t' Black Diamond has had. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I might have chosen a slightly bigger streamer, matey, but it seems t' work fine so far. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! 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. Begad! Estes made a good choice when they included it in t' starter set.

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

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5