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

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! Avast, me proud beauty! All parts present. Ahoy! None broken.

Clear and cardboard tubes, arrr, matey, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, me hearties, motor mount and fins. Well, blow me down! Arrr!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, shiver me timbers, usual decent illustrations in good order. Arrr! No templates needed. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

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. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! After fightin' with mine, I ended up usin' a floss threader which worked great. Blimey! Aye aye! Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Aye aye! Blimey! Fit is good and straight. Blimey! 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. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty!

Finishing: PROS: There is no finishing which is occasionally nice.

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, arrr, 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. Begad!

On a D12-5, t' flight be slow, shiver me timbers, low and okay. Begad! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload. Well, blow me down! Begad!

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary: PROS: Nice t' have another big one around and a payloader at that. Arrr! Well, blow me down! Good flyer. Ya scallywag!

CONS: As some have said, t' Sidewinder is "under leveled", matey, this on is way "over leveled". Well, blow me down! Why it's nay an E2X I have no idea. Well, blow me down! Overall assembly was no more difficult than t' Stingray or Skywinder. Blimey!

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5