Estes Mega Sizz

Estes - Mega Sizz {Kit} (1998) [1988-1990]

Contributed by Ron Wirth

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

Brief:
T' Estes Mega Sizz’ is an OOP kit that was available durin' 1988 through 1990. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' rocket is really nothing more than a 4FNC rocket usin' a BT-60 body tube. Arrr! I am a fan o' rockets with that tube size so when I had a chance to get t' Mega Sizz’ in some kits I was tradin' with a fellow rocket enthusiast, I jumped on t' chance. Begad! Ya scallywag!

Construction:
T' plastic bag t' kit came in had been opened once but be now stapled shut. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! All t' original parts were still in t' bag. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! They include:

  • 2 – BT60 body tubes
  • 1 – Nose cone
  • 1 – Tube coupler
  • 1 – Engine mount tube
  • 2 – Centerin' rings
  • 1 – Engine hook
  • 1 – Engine block
  • 1 – Set o' die-cut fins
  • 1 – Launch lug
  • 1 – Shock cord (rubber)
  • 1 – Plastic parachute (need t' assemble)
  • 1 – Decal sheet
  • 1 – Instructions (4 pages)

All t' parts were in good condition with t' exception o' t' shock cord, It be turnin' yellow with one end kind o' brittle from age I guess.

T' rocket is simple t' build and does nay require much time t' complete t' 12 steps in t' instructions. I built t' rocket as designed with one exception. Well, blow me down! Since I needed t' replace t' shock cord, I choose t' use Keelhaul®©™® strin' t' anchor it t' t' rocket instead o' t' standard tri-fold paper method. Since t' rocket has two body tubes joined by a coupler, I decided t' add an ejection baffle. Aye aye! I had recently purchased a bulk pack o' baffle kits made from heavy cardstock. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! I am nay too impressed with them but thought this would be a good rocket t' test them on. Begad! To strengthen t' cardstock, me hearties, I applied a thin coat o' epoxy t' each side. I also attached t' Keelhaul®©™® strin' t' t' baffle.

Finishing:
T' paint scheme for this rocket is a black nose cone with white fins and a a white body. Since t' nose cone is plastic, shiver me timbers, thar was a seam t' needed t' be sanded down. It also had a couple small indentation in t' plastic at various spots. Ya scallywag! I used several coat o' grey auto primer with sandin' t' make it smooth again. Then it be painted black. T' body tube and balsa fins received some Fill ‘N Finish then a coat o' Kilz Original spray primer. After that, arrr, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, I painted t' rocket with a gloss white.

T' decal were is very good condition for bein' almost 20 years old. Ya scallywag! There be sign o' discoloring. Blimey! T' sheet received a coat o' clear spray before they were put on t' rocket. Aye aye! Avast! There are nay a lot o' decals for t' kit. T' only tricky part is tryin' t' line up t' fins strips on each side o' t' same fin.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I loaded t' Mega Sizz’ with a D12-5 for t' first flight. Begad! This be t' only recommended motor for this rocket accordin' t' t' packaging. Avast! Begad! T' rocket leaped off t' pad rather quickly. Avast! Blimey! I almost missed gettin' a picture o' because o' its speed as it left t' launch rod. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! T' rocket should fly t' 1000’ accordin' t' packagin' but I do nay think it flew that high.

Recovery:
T' rocket uses a large 16” plastic parachute. Begad! I really like t' look o' t' older orange and white striped chutes with t' black and white Estes logo on t' top. Aye aye! So much better than what is bein' produced in today’s kits. I did nay load t' rocket with any recovery waddin' since I installed t' ejection baffle. Begad! Arrr! There were no signs of meltin' plastic on t' chute so it worked as planned. Begad! T' rocket safely drifted back t' t' ground for t' end o' a perfect flight.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Mega Sizz’ is a fine flyer with a sleek but simple appearance. Blimey! Since t' kit is OOP, me bucko, you might be hard pressed t' locate a sealed bag. T' kit does appear on Ebay every once and a while. Ahoy! T' price is usually more than $20 dollars which is too much for this kit in me opinion unless o' course you are a collector o' kits. Well, blow me down! As a 4FNC rocket, I consider this a nice addition t' me flyin' fleet and happy that I was able t' have t' chance t' trade for this kit. T' plans, instructions, and decal image can be found at Ye Olde Rocket Plans (http://plans.rocketshoppe.com/) and the nose cone (PNC-60RL) is available in balsa from Semroc so it should nay be too hard t' clone this kit.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flights

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