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 be available durin' 1988 through 1990. Avast! T' rocket is really nothing more than a 4FNC rocket usin' a BT-60 body tube. 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, ya bilge rat, I jumped on t' chance. Avast!

Construction:
T' plastic bag t' kit came in had been opened once but was now stapled shut. 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, me hearties, 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. Ahoy! Begad! Since I needed t' replace t' shock cord, ya bilge rat, I choose t' use Keelhaul®©™® strin' t' anchor it t' t' rocket instead o' t' standard tri-fold paper method. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Since t' rocket has two body tubes joined by a coupler, shiver me timbers, I decided t' add an ejection baffle. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I had recently purchased a bulk pack o' baffle kits made from heavy cardstock. Blimey! Well, blow me down! I am nay too impressed with them but thought this would be a good rocket t' test them on. To strengthen t' cardstock, ya bilge rat, I applied a thin coat o' epoxy t' each side. Begad! Begad! 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. Begad! Since t' nose cone is plastic, thar be a seam t' needed t' be sanded down. Ya scallywag! It also had a couple small indentation in t' plastic at various spots. Aye aye! I used several coat o' grey auto primer with sandin' t' make it smooth again. Avast, me proud beauty! Then it was painted black. T' body tube and balsa fins received some Fill ‘N Finish then a coat o' Kilz Original spray primer. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! After that, matey, I painted t' rocket with a gloss white.

T' decal were is very good condition for bein' almost 20 years old. Avast! Ya scallywag! There was sign o' discoloring. T' sheet received a coat o' clear spray before they were put on t' rocket. Begad! 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. This be t' only recommended motor for this rocket accordin' t' t' packaging. Begad! Blimey! T' rocket leaped off t' pad rather quickly. Well, blow me down! I almost missed gettin' a picture o' because o' its speed as it left t' launch rod. Avast! Ya scallywag! 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. I really like t' look o' t' older orange and white striped chutes with t' black and white Estes logo on t' top. Ahoy! 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. There were no signs of meltin' plastic on t' chute so it worked as planned. Avast! 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, you might be hard pressed t' locate a sealed bag. T' kit does appear on Ebay every once and a while. Avast! 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. 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, arrr, instructions, me hearties, shiver me timbers, 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

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