Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. Aye aye! Lots o' room. Ya scallywag!

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

Clear and cardboard tubes, matey, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, motor mount and fins. Ahoy! Well, blow me down!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, arrr, usual decent illustrations in good order. Well, blow me down! Blimey! No templates needed. Begad!

Ease o' build: Do make sure t' pay attention t' t' lug alignment when gluin' t' coupler. Avast! Blimey! Just makin' a tip on t' shock cord does nay ensure easy insertion into t' coupler. Ya scallywag! Blimey! After fightin' with mine, me bucko, I ended up usin' a floss threader which worked great. Avast! Blimey! Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!

No special tools needed.

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

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, thar be only one for every other fin. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, t' flight was slow, low and okay. Begad! Don't know if t' slight veerin' be due t' t' wind or t' payload.

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, shiver me timbers, it needs a longer shock cord. Blimey! Begad! No damage. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! A little too much driftin' for my taste. Aye aye! Arrr! Cut a small hole in t' 24" parachute but don't go down t' an 18" 'chute. Arrr!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary: PROS: Nice t' have another big one around and a payloader at that. Avast, me proud beauty! Good flyer. Ahoy! Ya scallywag!

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5