That’s one cool ship you have there and I think I can help with the smoke.
I'm a Level 3 High Power Rocket guy and think a white lightning type propellant is the ticket for increasing the amount of white smoke. First, HPR use AP and are not toy rocket motors. In white lightning motors it's a ratio of Mg / Zn that produce the smoke and probably should not be posted here. Mg powder is dangerous stuff to work with anyway.
However, you could simply buy a white lightning reload and shave one of the grains and add the shavings the BP. I think you'll be satisfied with the results.
Substituting an E-match used to ignite BP charges in Rocketry would solve your instant ignition problem and allow standard barrels to be used eliminating the weak link glow plug. It would come at a price of around $1 a piece though.
Just a thought...
