Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. Arrr! Begad! Blimey! Lots o' room.

Construction: Quality; have only seen this one boxed. I prefer t' boxed ones - any damage on t' inside is likely t' be visible on the outside. All parts present. Ya scallywag! None broken. Avast! Arrr!

Clear and cardboard tubes, me bucko, arrr, arrr, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, matey, motor mount and fins. Arrr! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, usual decent illustrations in good order. Blimey! Avast! No templates needed. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty!

Ease o' build: Do make sure t' pay attention t' t' lug alignment when gluin' t' coupler. Just makin' a tip on t' shock cord does nay ensure easy insertion into t' coupler. Aye aye! After fightin' with mine, ya bilge rat, I ended up usin' a floss threader which worked great. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Aye aye! Begad! Fit is good and straight. Begad! Transition is very loose and t' nose cone is extremely tight. Pretty sturdy but can see t' fins snappin' easily if it lands right. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty!

No special tools needed. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

Finishing: PROS: There is no finishing which is occasionally nice. Well, blow me down!

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, thar be only one for every other fin. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5

Flight: Easy prep as with most D motors and large tubes. Waddin' needed and t' kit uses a twist-loc retention system. Well, blow me down!

On a D12-5, arrr, t' flight was slow, low and okay. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload. Begad! Blimey!

One might want t' leave t' nose cone fairly tight, arrr, matey, as me son's hot wheels popped it off on t' first flight.

Recovery: Parachute. Begad! As with most Estes models, it needs a longer shock cord. Ahoy! No damage. A little too much driftin' for my taste. Cut a small hole in t' 24" parachute but don't go down t' an 18" 'chute. Aye aye!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary: PROS: Nice t' have another big one around and a payloader at that. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Good flyer. Arrr! Blimey!

CONS: As some have said, matey, me bucko, t' Sidewinder is "under leveled", this on is way "over leveled". Why it's nay an E2X I have no idea. Begad! Avast! Overall assembly was no more difficult than t' Stingray or Skywinder.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5