Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. Arrr! Lots o' room. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction: Quality; have only seen this one boxed. Aye aye! I prefer t' boxed ones - any damage on t' inside is likely t' be visible on the outside. Well, blow me down! All parts present. Avast, me proud beauty! None broken. Begad!

Clear and cardboard tubes, arrr, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, matey, motor mount and fins. Arrr!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, me hearties, matey, shiver me timbers, usual decent illustrations in good order. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! No templates needed. Aye aye!

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

No special tools needed. Ahoy! Blimey!

Finishing: PROS: There is no finishing which is occasionally nice.

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, thar be only one for every other fin. Aye aye! Blimey!

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.

On a D12-5, t' flight was slow, low and okay. Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload. Well, blow me down!

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary: PROS: Nice t' have another big one around and a payloader at that. Arrr! Blimey! Good flyer. Avast! Well, blow me down!

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5