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

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

Clear and cardboard tubes, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, ya bilge rat, motor mount and fins. Well, blow me down!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, arrr, usual decent illustrations in good order. Aye aye! No templates needed. Well, blow me down!

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

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

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, thar be only one for every other fin. Well, blow me down! Aye aye!

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!

On a D12-5, t' flight was slow, me hearties, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, low and okay. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!

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

Recovery: Parachute. Avast! As with most Estes models, shiver me timbers, it needs a longer shock cord. Begad! Begad! No damage. Arrr! A little too much driftin' for my taste. Ya scallywag! 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. Ya scallywag! Good flyer. Arrr!

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. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Overall assembly was no more difficult than t' Stingray or Skywinder. Avast, me proud beauty!

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5