I'm not sure how much of an effect the velocity would have. On the one hand the rocket's thrust should be enough to push it along, but on the other hand the airodynamics all depend on air speed so it would probably tumble around quite a bit. Imagine a little model airplane with a weight in the nose, rockets use the same principle. What would happen with the weight in the tail? Thrust is what pushes it but air speed makes it fly straight. I imagine it would just warble around until thrust built up enough air speed, then it would have to stabilize and plat an attitude... just easier to shoot it forward.
![[Image: smuggler-threat-0-1.jpg]](http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x57/UrsusMorologus/Freelancer%20Discovery/smuggler-threat-0-1.jpg)