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

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

T' only problem I had with t' construction be t' fins. Arrr! I chose t' only put 3 o' t' 5 fins on t' rocket. Since t' fins are cardstock, shiver me timbers, they are fairly flimsy. Ahoy! 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). Begad! After finishin' it wasn't too noticeable, but was 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. Begad! Arrr! You can do it very simply with one color or add multiple colors t' add interest. 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. Begad! T' first step was t' put three coats o' primer (wet sandin' betwixt each coat) on it. Blimey! Then put a coat o' red on it for accents. Ya scallywag! 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. 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. Aye aye! Well, 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. 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 was with a A8-3 since it was t' be launched on a small field. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' flight be nice and straight and higher than I expected. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' streamer ejected at apogee and t' rocket recovered nicely.

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

T' third flight be another A8-3. Avast! This time I reduced t' waddin' t' prevent t' problem that was seen in the second flight. Blimey! Begad! T' flight was excellent, but t' streamer came back a bit burned. Blimey! 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! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! You are instructed t' glue t' shock cord in a paper mount that you cut out from t' directions. Begad! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Then t' mount is glued into t' body tube. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' cord is a good length and held up well in the three flights t' Black Diamond has had. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I might have chosen a slightly bigger streamer, me bucko, matey, but it seems t' work fine so far. Blimey! Blimey! 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. Ahoy! Begad! Estes made a good choice when they included it in t' starter set.

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

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5