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

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

Clear and cardboard tubes, arrr, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, ya bilge rat, me bucko, motor mount and fins. Avast, me proud beauty!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, usual decent illustrations in good order. Avast, me proud beauty! No templates needed.

Ease o' build: Do make sure t' pay attention t' t' lug alignment when gluin' t' coupler. Avast, me proud beauty! Just makin' a tip on t' shock cord does nay ensure easy insertion into t' coupler. Well, blow me down! After fightin' with mine, me hearties, I ended up usin' a floss threader which worked great. Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Well, blow me down! Fit is good and straight. Begad! Transition is very loose and t' nose cone is extremely tight. Pretty sturdy but can see t' fins snappin' easily if it lands right. Avast, me proud beauty!

No special tools needed. Ya scallywag!

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

CONS: A constant gripe about Estes' decals, me hearties, matey, thar be only one for every other fin. Avast! Begad! 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. Arrr!

On a D12-5, t' flight was slow, low and okay. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Don't know if t' slight veerin' was due t' t' wind or t' payload. Begad! Blimey! Ahoy! 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. Arrr! Begad! As with most Estes models, it needs a longer shock cord. Avast, me proud beauty! No damage. Arrr! 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. Well, me hearties, blow me down!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5