Brief: Large but not chunky payloader. Ahoy! Begad! Lots o' room. Avast, me proud beauty!

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! Begad! None broken. Well, blow me down! Begad!

Clear and cardboard tubes, arrr, lots o' plastic parts includin' transition, shiver me timbers, motor mount and fins. Avast, me proud beauty!

Instructions: Easy t' follow, usual decent illustrations in good order. No templates needed. Ya scallywag! 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. Well, blow me down! After fightin' with mine, I ended up usin' a floss threader which worked great. Ya scallywag! Alignment is good for fins and tubes. Aye aye! Fit is good and straight. Begad! Ya scallywag! 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. Begad! Blimey!

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.

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

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. As with most Estes models, shiver me timbers, it needs a longer shock cord. Avast! No damage. Well, blow me down! 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. Avast, me proud beauty!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary: PROS: Nice t' have another big one around and a payloader at that. Begad! Good flyer. Ahoy!

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

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5