Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. Lots o' room.

Construction: Quality; have only seen this one boxed. Arrr! Arrr! 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 bucko, me proud beauty! None broken.

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

Instructions: Easy t' follow, me bucko, usual decent illustrations in good order. Blimey! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! No templates needed. Ya scallywag! Aye aye!

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

No special tools needed. Well, blow me down! Avast!

Finishing: PROS: There is no finishing which is occasionally nice. Well, blow me down! Begad!

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, arrr, thar be only one for every other fin. Avast! 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, shiver me timbers, low and okay. Well, blow me down! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload. Ahoy!

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, ya bilge rat, me hearties, it needs a longer shock cord. Aye aye! No damage. 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. Good flyer. Begad!

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5