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. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' me surprise, shiver me timbers, this was nay t' same kit! T' newer Sizzler be nay merely a re-issue with materials differences, matey, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, it be larger (BT-60 vs. Avast! Begad! BT-50), had a different fin design, arrr, shiver me timbers, and used aft ejection vs. Aye aye! Begad! standard NC ejection.

Click to EnlargeConstruction:
T' original Sizzler (#1906) was a basic 3FNC Skill level 1 rocket. 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). Blimey! Ahoy! I really loved t' looks o' t' original. Ya scallywag! Originally, shiver me timbers, 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! Arrr! We were lucky they had scheduled a window cleanin' that weekend (before it rained!). Begad! It survived these flights well, with a 12" plastic chute and t' rubber band shock cord. Avast! Blimey! On its last flight, me bucko, I used an Aerotech D21-7 for a really fast take-off. Aye aye! T' ejection charge burned t' body tube and blistered t' paint. Ahoy! T' tube almost feels like it melted. Avast! Well, arrr, blow me down! T' Sizzler is now enjoyin' a happy retirement in me Rocket Ranch. Maybe someday, me bucko, 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, shiver me timbers, 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. Ya scallywag! CONS - None noted

I think t' new version is a more interestin' rocket (with aft ejection, arrr, 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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