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

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

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

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

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

No special tools needed.

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. Well, blow me down!

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, t' flight be slow, low and okay. Arrr! Blimey! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload.

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5