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

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. All parts present. Blimey! Arrr! None broken. Avast! Ya scallywag!

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

Instructions: Easy t' follow, shiver me timbers, usual decent illustrations in good order. Begad! No templates needed. Ahoy!

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

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

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, ya bilge rat, me hearties, 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.

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

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. Avast, me proud beauty! As with most Estes models, arrr, matey, it needs a longer shock cord. Blimey! No damage. 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. Begad!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5