Spaceagent,
Can you show us some pics of the Aft engines lit? I just want to see how you assembled the back. I remember having difficulty with the center rings and the back.
As to motion control I recently got a book called "Karakuri" by Keisuke Saka which describes how to build movable paper models and mechanisms such as cams, gears, etc out of paper. Cool stuff. He's a Japanese high school physics teacher and his book should be required reading in all high schools. Good theory, great models. Really brings the world of mechanisms into the realm of the understandable.
Your design with the stand should work providing you mount the pulley behind the ring closest to the engines. The internal support shaft would probably be cut back a bit. Are you going to put in a wooden or plastic shaft internally in the center section of the model for better support? Just wondering.
Have a great day!
Sky Seeker
:tank: