[JGZinv]

I've got a missile here that I'm picking work back up on, and I already know it
wasn't really possible to do back in '05... so wondering if anyone has some ideas
on how to replicate a similar "animation" of the missile salvo formation when it's shot.

Example -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv8NQ7i2vbs

Basically you have a lead missile and the 3 that follow behind it. The three in the rear
swirl in and around each other as they are flying. Sort of like a recyling circle...
Thankfully this is the only missile that is somewhat iconic and recognizable for it's pattern.

I tried swarm and corkscrew back in the day, doesn't really do the same thing.
I'd be happy if they just closed in and out in a triangle shape, while rotating. The spinning
around each other bit is probably a tad unnecessary.

Any ideas?

[FUBAR-BDHR]

Does it have to work as independent missiles in game?  If not you could probably just model it with the rotating ones around it.

[JGZinv]

The whole salvo acts and is fired as one missile, so it tracks the same target,
follows behind the lead missile, etc.

I think the original idea was to have a missile where you might get
hit by the lead unit, but you have a small chance to escape the main trio.
First one hurts the shields while the other 3 punch through to the hull.
Typically due to lock on distance and other factors this Swarm Missile
was mostly used at med to short range. It was also the worst to have to evade.

Modeling it might be interesting, but how would you get the motion/appearance such as it is?