<font color="yellow">"I guess the real question is, have you actually flown one without the fins? Of course not, but it may be fun to make a SPEV, find an open area and try it."</font><br /><br />I haven't tried flying a CLV model without fins, but I have flown a few rockets that didn't have fins with good results so I have confidence that it could be made to work. As I'm sure you know, the aft skirt on the CLV has a similar function to fins so it's not like there's nothing there to lower the CP. In fact, the term "skirt fin" is sometimes used in this regard. Adding some weight in the forward end allows adjustment of the CG into a stable configuration.<br /><br />I understand that this is more difficult with a smaller model using 18mm motors. With my model, using F, G & H motors, I have power to spare, so the small added weight isn't a problem.<br /><br /><font color="yellow">"The rocket business, however, has really taken off (to use a pun.)"</font><br /><br />Nice. I wish you more luck. I've often thought how cool it would be to make a living in that kind of business. I just never realized that the business was that good. Maybe I'll rethink my career plans <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>