Parachute for an Estes Sizzler

I am thinking of becoming a BAR.
Years ago I purchased an Estes Sizzler, just to have a rocket to display on my dresser.
I lost the parachute, but did not care at the time because I just wanted it to look at.
Now I would like to see if I can shoot it, but don't know what size parachute it came with.
Any advice?

https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/est1906a.tif

Lists the parachute as a Pk-12a

https://www.rocketreviews.com/estes-mercury-redstone-k-41-frank-casey.html
Is a review if the Estes Mercury Redstone which describes the part pk-12a as a 12 inch chute (which kinda makes sense, but you never know!)

Wouldn’t hurt to put a spill hole in the middle, especially if you have a small field.

Easy enough to make one with a shopping bag (I like the Hobby Lobby bags, they are a bit tougher than Walmart bags.)

Straight Trails!

Hi tmazanec1,

There's been at least 5 rockets named Sizzler... Which one are you referring to?

1831 Streamer
1906/1432 (12")
2127 (18")
2171 (12")
2472 (12")

Admittedly, only four use parachutes...

BABAR said:

https://www.rocketreviews.com/estes-mercury-redstone-k-41-frank-casey.html
Is a review if the Estes Mercury Redstone which describes the part pk-12a as a 12 inch chute (which kinda makes sense, but you never know!)

Click to expand...

I trust rocketreviews about as far as I can throw it... I just found a review of the 1906 that gave the parachute as 18", and another that said 10". I had one as a kid, and I can assure you that it's a 12" one. Estes' catalogs are much more reliable that rocketreviews.

K'Tesh said:

Hi tmazanec1,
I trust rocketreviews about as far as I can throw it... I just found a review of the 1906 that gave the parachute as 18", and another that said 10". I had one as a kid, and I can assure you that it's a 12" one. Estes' catalogs are much more reliable that rocketreviews.

Click to expand...

Point well taken on rocket reviews, although the reviewer on that the Mercury Redstone did seem pretty knowledgeable.

I did figure however that the designation Pk-12a I got from JimZ rocket plans logically referred to a 12” chute.

BABAR said:

Point well taken on rocket reviews, although the reviewer on that the Mercury Redstone did seem pretty knowledgeable.

I did figure however that the designation Pk-12a I got from JimZ rocket plans logically referred to a 12” chute.

Click to expand...

I understand... Instructions are the best, and PK-#s are a good clue. But when you have only a part number then you need to start looking. Old catalogs from the 80's were really good to tell you parachute sizes. I miss those little icons for plastic vs die cut fins (not that I miss die cut fins), balsa vs plastic nosecones, streamers vs parachutes (w/sizes) vs tumble recovery.

The Custom Parts Catalog from 1974 and old catalogs back when Estes sold parts separately are goldmines. But they don't do jack for anybody else's kits... Quest? Apogee? Semroc? etc., you're hosed.

It's the 2472.
When I went online to order the shute, Estes said they were out of stock.
When can I expect them to be in stock again?

Thanks, kurinin!

Nah. Unless you are landing your Sizzler on something hard like pavement I would not bother with a chute. A 4' length of 1.5"-2" streamer is perfect and can be had at almost any hardware store. Heck, even caution tape works well. Don't pack it into a roll but fold it in halves until it's small enough to fit and comes out easily. Baby powder helps immensely to this end. Cheap and easy to replace as it gets burns or tears and the roll will last a LONG time.

kuririn said:

https://www.erockets.biz/estes-accessories-parachute-12in-orange-2264/

Click to expand...

price isn't bad, $3.19. Not sure how much shipping is, as a percentage of the cost of the unit probably relatively high. Kind of encourages you to buy some more stuff to decrease the relative percentage of shipping costs.
Chutes (and I guess streamers) are about the easiest rocket parts to make from scratch. 1/8 and 3/16 launch lugs are a bit harder to do scratch, I tend to use paper straws which are a bit larger in diameter so less efficient, but they work great and can be affixed with paper or wood glue. A little hard to come by (paper straws seem to have gone out of favor with gas station drink stands.) Plastic straws don't affix as easily, I avoid epoxy as I don't like the smell and don't want to use gloves or risk allergies.

Fruity Chutes has a chute descent rate calculator that seems to work well. www.frutychutes.com