Yup, you got the wrong ones...the Cruise missle stinks...I have hadone straight launch out of 20...the space shuttle is heavy and doesn't get much altitude, sometimes it goes up 10 feet then out like a plane. If you want performance, go for the Critical Mass, Raw Fusion, Vector or No Mercy. These are longer, more stable 3 fin rockets that get some good altitude. Even then you have a bad motor sometimes with low thrust...but they do work. Also, CyA the nosecone to the ejection rod inside the rocket's body tube before launching as it's just pressed in...we lost a SR71 nosecone because of that. They will then fly well.
The launch pad looks cool and works well on fresh batteries, but corrodes fast. I keep alcohol and Q-Tips handy to clean the two contacts inside the slot where the ignitor goes; they gunk up fast. If you have a 12v system, it works like a charm and is more reliable than the 9v launcher it comes with; it makes a BIG difference!
Through trial and error, our fleet has finally come into serious good reliability, which is why they are so much fun. Should have posted some of these tips earlier. The LONG body kits from Nano rocketry are also very stable and achieve some serious altitude. I would buy a No Mercy single kit to get the pad, then some Nano kits like the Arcas and Star Booster and you are in for some good fun!
BTW, I have actually MADE my own igniters as the stock ones fail about 1 in every 10 and we launch ALOT! Also, I thought they failed more like one in three until I switched to 12v...no more problems.
Cya,
Carl