Estes Sizzler (1906) Starter Set

Estes - Sizzler Starter Set {Kit} (1906) [1983-1990]

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 0.98 inches
Length: 23.50 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport

DescriptionBrief:
After I entered some old flight logs on t' Estes Sizzler, I decided t' look at t' EMRR review. Blimey! Begad! T' me surprise, me bucko, this be nay t' same kit! T' newer Sizzler was nay merely a re-issue with materials differences, matey, ya bilge rat, it was larger (BT-60 vs. Ya scallywag! BT-50), ya bilge rat, me hearties, had a different fin design, and used aft ejection vs. standard NC ejection.

Click to EnlargeConstruction:
T' original Sizzler (#1906) was a basic 3FNC Skill level 1 rocket. Begad! I bought mine in 1987 as part o' a starter set - me first act as a BAR. T' attached pics provide a good description o' t' rocket (click picture on left t' enlarge). Begad! I really loved t' looks o' t' original. Originally, mine looked like t' ads - now it is fairly flight worn.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew this rocket many many times times on A's, B's, C's, and one D It has landed on people's roofs and a ledge o' a nearby office building. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! We were lucky they had scheduled a window cleanin' that weekend (before it rained!). Avast, me proud beauty! It survived these flights well, with a 12" plastic chute and t' rubber band shock cord. Aye aye! On its last flight, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I used an Aerotech D21-7 for a really fast take-off. Ya scallywag! T' ejection charge burned t' body tube and blistered t' paint. Ahoy! T' tube almost feels like it melted. Ahoy! Begad! T' Sizzler is now enjoyin' a happy retirement in me Rocket Ranch. Ahoy! Maybe someday, she will see an offsprin' (upscale).

Recovery:
PROs - Flies great on any class o' 18mm engine CONs - Uses a short rubber band shock cord. Aye aye! However, this was typical for all Estes kits back then.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROS - It's a good performing, me hearties, me bucko, basic starter rocket. Ya scallywag! CONS - None noted

I think t' new version is a more interestin' rocket (with aft ejection, etc.), but I liked t' overall look o' t' original better. I think Estes should have issued their rocket under another name, IMHO.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

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