Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. Avast, me proud beauty! Lots o' room.

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

Clear and cardboard tubes, me bucko, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, motor mount and fins. Ya scallywag! Aye aye!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, usual decent illustrations in good order. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! No templates needed.

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

No special tools needed. Ya scallywag!

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

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, thar be only one for every other fin. 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, ya bilge rat, t' flight be slow, me bucko, low and okay. Avast! Don't know if t' slight veerin' be due t' t' wind or t' payload. Blimey! Begad!

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

Recovery: Parachute. Ahoy! As with most Estes models, it needs a longer shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty! No damage. A little too much driftin' for my taste. Well, blow me down! 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. Avast! Well, blow me down! Good flyer. Begad! Aye aye!

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5