Brief:
T' Black Diamond is a single staged LPR that recovers on a streamer. Begad! It comes in t' "Launchables" (1452) Starter set. Arrr! T' set also includes t' Astron Outlaw. Ahoy! T' Black Diamond is an easy build that would be great for beginners. Ahoy!

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, ya bilge rat, t' instructions are well illustrated and a breeze t' follow. I loved the fact they included suggested fin configurations.

T' only problem I had with t' construction be t' fins. Aye aye! I chose t' only put 3 o' t' 5 fins on t' rocket. Since t' fins are cardstock, they are fairly flimsy. Blimey! Begad! T' add t' t' problem you are supposed t' sand off t' tabs that held them t' t' sheet. Well, blow me down! This further reduces t' stability o' t' fin because t' cardstock begins t' separate (it's in layers). Ya scallywag! Begad! After finishin' it wasn't too noticeable, arrr, 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. Well, blow me down! Blimey! You can do it very simply with one color or add multiple colors t' add interest. Aye aye! Blimey! I didn't fill t' tube spirals, but I did use three coats o' sandable primer which covered most o' t' spirals up. T' first step be t' put three coats o' primer (wet sandin' betwixt each coat) on it. Blimey! Blimey! Then put a coat o' red on it for accents. Blimey! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Next I masked off t' areas I wanted t' remain red and then coated it with a black top coat and a clear coat. Ahoy! Blimey! Finally I put t' "Black Diamond" sticker decal on the rocket. 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, matey, use a few sheets o' wadding. Arrr! Well, matey, blow me down! Then in order t' put t' streamer in t' rocket, fold the it in half and then in half again and roll it. Well, matey, blow me down! Wrap t' shock cord around it loosely and then put it in t' body tube and put t' nosecone on. Begad! T' motor much be friction fit t' keep it in t' rocket.

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

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

T' third flight was another A8-3. Aye aye! Blimey! This time I reduced t' waddin' t' prevent t' problem that was seen in the second flight. T' flight was excellent, ya bilge rat, 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. Blimey! You are instructed t' glue t' shock cord in a paper mount that you cut out from t' directions. Avast! Then t' mount is glued into t' body tube. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! T' cord is a good length and held up well in the three flights t' Black Diamond has had. Avast! I might have chosen a slightly bigger streamer, me bucko, but it seems t' work fine so far. Well, blow me down! I might replace it since it got singed in t' last flight.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

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

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

CONs: T' Cardstock Fins--the fins are very easily damaged. Avast! Blimey! It seems that it is nay difficult t' knock them. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5