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

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. Begad! All parts present. None broken. Arrr!

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

Instructions: Easy t' follow, ya bilge rat, usual decent illustrations in good order. No templates needed. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag!

Ease o' build: Do make sure t' pay attention t' t' lug alignment when gluin' t' coupler. Aye aye! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! Just makin' a tip on t' shock cord does nay ensure easy insertion into t' coupler. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Blimey! After fightin' with mine, matey, shiver me timbers, I ended up usin' a floss threader which worked great. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Blimey! Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Ahoy! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. 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 be slow, low and okay. Begad! Blimey! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload.

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5