Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. 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. Aye aye! Well, matey, blow me down! All parts present. Begad! None broken.

Clear and cardboard tubes, shiver me timbers, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, motor mount and fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, usual decent illustrations in good order. Arrr! No templates needed.

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

Finishing: PROS: There is no finishing which is occasionally nice. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

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

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. Aye aye! Blimey! Don't know if t' slight veerin' be due t' t' wind or t' payload. Blimey! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

One might want t' leave t' nose cone fairly tight, me hearties, 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. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! No damage. Ahoy! 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.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5