Estes Sizzler (1906) Starter Set

Estes - Sizzler Starter Set {Launch/Starter Set} (1906)

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Estes

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

Click to EnlargeConstruction:
T' original Sizzler (#1906) be a basic 3FNC Skill level 1 rocket. Avast! 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). Aye aye! I really loved t' looks o' t' original. Arrr! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Originally, matey, 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, arrr, B's, shiver me timbers, C's, and one D It has landed on people's roofs and a ledge o' a nearby office building. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! We were lucky they had scheduled a window cleanin' that weekend (before it rained!). Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! It survived these flights well, with a 12" plastic chute and t' rubber band shock cord. Well, blow me down! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! On its last flight, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, I used an Aerotech D21-7 for a really fast take-off. Begad! T' ejection charge burned t' body tube and blistered t' paint. Begad! T' tube almost feels like it melted. T' Sizzler is now enjoyin' a happy retirement in me Rocket Ranch. Maybe someday, matey, matey, 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, me bucko, this was typical for all Estes kits back then.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROS - It's a good performing, ya bilge rat, basic starter rocket. CONS - None noted

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

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