Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. Arrr! Lots o' room. Well, blow me down! Avast!

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

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

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

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

No special tools needed. Ya scallywag!

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

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

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

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. Begad! Ahoy! Blimey! As with most Estes models, it needs a longer shock cord. Ya scallywag! No damage. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 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. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5