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

Construction:
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. Aye aye! 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. Ya scallywag! 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, shiver me timbers, B's, matey, 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!). Begad! Ahoy! It survived these flights well, with a 12" plastic chute and t' rubber band shock cord. Ahoy! On its last flight, I used an Aerotech D21-7 for a really fast take-off. Avast! T' ejection charge burned t' body tube and blistered t' paint. Aye aye! T' tube almost feels like it melted. Ahoy! Ahoy! T' Sizzler is now enjoyin' a happy retirement in me Rocket Ranch. Ahoy! Aye aye! 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. Avast! However, me hearties, this was typical for all Estes kits back then.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROS - It's a good performing, basic starter rocket. Arrr! 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. Begad! Well, blow me down! I think Estes should have issued their rocket under another name, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, IMHO.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5