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

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

Clear and cardboard tubes, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, matey, motor mount and fins. Begad! Begad!

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

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, I ended up usin' a floss threader which worked great. Arrr! Blimey! Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Avast! Blimey! Fit is good and straight. Aye aye! 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! Blimey!

No special tools needed.

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

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, matey, ya bilge rat, thar be only one for every other fin. Well, blow me down! 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. Well, blow me down!

On a D12-5, ya bilge rat, t' flight was slow, matey, low and okay. Aye aye! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Don't know if t' slight veerin' be due t' t' wind or t' payload. Blimey! Blimey!

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

CONS: As some have said, arrr, t' Sidewinder is "under leveled", this on is way "over leveled". Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Why it's nay an E2X I have no idea. Overall assembly was no more difficult than t' Stingray or Skywinder.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5