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

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. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! 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. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' add t' t' problem you are supposed t' sand off t' tabs that held them t' t' sheet. Begad! Blimey! This further reduces t' stability o' t' fin because t' cardstock begins t' separate (it's in layers). Ya scallywag! Blimey! 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. You can do it very simply with one color or add multiple colors t' add interest. Avast, me proud beauty! I didn't fill t' tube spirals, me bucko, but I did use three coats o' sandable primer which covered most o' t' spirals up. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! Finally I put t' "Black Diamond" sticker decal on the rocket. Aye aye! 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, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, arrr, use a few sheets o' wadding. Ya scallywag! 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. Ya scallywag! Arrr! 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. T' flight was nice and straight and higher than I expected. Blimey! T' streamer ejected at apogee and t' rocket recovered nicely.

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

T' third flight was another A8-3. Ahoy! This time I reduced t' waddin' t' prevent t' problem that be seen in the second flight. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' flight be excellent, matey, me hearties, but t' streamer came back a bit burned. Begad! 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. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Then t' mount is glued into t' body tube. Arrr! T' cord is a good length and held up well in the three flights t' Black Diamond has had. Arrr! I might have chosen a slightly bigger streamer, shiver me timbers, but it seems t' work fine so far. Arrr! 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. Aye aye!

PROs: T' design allows for multiple fin configurations. Begad! I also love it when a kit lets you decide part o' the design. Begad! 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. Avast!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5