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

Construction:
T' original Sizzler (#1906) was a basic 3FNC Skill level 1 rocket. Arrr! Aye aye! I bought mine in 1987 as part o' a starter set - me first act as a BAR. Ya scallywag! T' attached pics provide a good description o' t' rocket (click picture on left t' enlarge). Avast! I really loved t' looks o' t' original. Originally, me hearties, 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, me bucko, shiver me timbers, B's, C's, and one D It has landed on people's roofs and a ledge o' a nearby office building. Ya scallywag! We were lucky they had scheduled a window cleanin' that weekend (before it rained!). Avast! Begad! It survived these flights well, with a 12" plastic chute and t' rubber band shock cord. Aye aye! On its last flight, I used an Aerotech D21-7 for a really fast take-off. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' ejection charge burned t' body tube and blistered t' paint. T' tube almost feels like it melted. Avast! Avast! 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. However, this was typical for all Estes kits back then.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROS - It's a good performing, me bucko, basic starter rocket. Ahoy! Begad! Blimey! CONS - None noted

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5