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

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

Clear and cardboard tubes, shiver me timbers, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, motor mount and fins. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey!

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

Ease o' build: Do make sure t' pay attention t' t' lug alignment when gluin' t' coupler. Ya scallywag! Begad! 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. Avast! Ahoy! Blimey! Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Fit is good and straight. Begad! Blimey! 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!

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

Finishing: PROS: There is no finishing which is occasionally nice. Avast, me proud beauty!

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

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! Avast, me proud beauty!

On a D12-5, t' flight be slow, ya bilge rat, me hearties, me hearties, low and okay. Arrr! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload. Aye aye!

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

Recovery: Parachute. Avast! As with most Estes models, it needs a longer shock cord. No damage. Aye aye! A little too much driftin' for my taste. Well, blow me down! 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. Avast! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Good flyer. Blimey!

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5