Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. Well, blow me down! Lots o' room.

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

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

Instructions: Easy t' follow, arrr, usual decent illustrations in good order. Well, blow me down! Blimey! No templates needed. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. After fightin' with mine, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, I ended up usin' a floss threader which worked great. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Fit is good and straight. Well, blow me down! Transition is very loose and t' nose cone is extremely tight. Pretty sturdy but can see t' fins snappin' easily if it lands right. Ahoy!

No special tools needed. Begad!

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

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

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. Arrr! Blimey!

On a D12-5, t' flight was slow, low and okay. Don't know if t' slight veerin' be due t' t' wind or t' payload. Begad! Blimey!

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

Recovery: Parachute. As with most Estes models, me bucko, it needs a longer shock cord. No damage. Arrr! A little too much driftin' for my taste. Aye aye! 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! Blimey! Good flyer. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey!

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5