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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, thar be only one for every other fin. 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. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag!

On a D12-5, t' flight was slow, low and okay. Arrr! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload. Well, blow me down! 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. Well, blow me down! As with most Estes models, it needs a longer shock cord. No damage. Begad! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5