Simple 12V to 180V DC Converter Design for CDI Unit With Low Component Count

I'm looking for a design for a cdi unit for a small-scale model engine.
The cdi side of things for ignition doesn't bother me as that is sorted, the issue is the design for an inverter to boost 12v dc to somewhere around 180v DC as the input to the cdi section.
Looking around the internet there are several designs, but they have shortcomings. Either the component count is too high or their resilience to shorting the output is such that it can result in blown components.
What I need is something with a low component count, doesn't suffer when the output is shorted when the scr fires and is simple to construct.

What options are there that would meet my criteria?

You typically use a flyback converter for this sort of application. The component count is reasonably low (your reasonable may be different to mine), but to design it yourself takes a bit of work, since you need a non standard high voltage output. It takes a bit of work to design the magnetics, since the core has to ne gapped, and snubbing is needed. Try "design a flyback transformer" in a web search and you will turn up quite a bit of information. If the design side is beyond you then you will have no option but to borrow a design from one already out there. Additionally, thermal design has to be considered, since the unit may end up in an area where cooling may be challenging.
Be wary of simulating the design, the transformer has to be a very complete model to come anywhere near a real world result, and the PCB layout has to be done with care.
Many years ago I built a CDI, the flyback converter was based on an application note published in a book by RCA (long gone). The converter frequency was quite low, so the transformer used silicon steel laminations. They had full design notes for it. These days the frequencies are in the hundreds of KHz, so ferrite will be the material of choice.
Cheers,
Richard

Incidentally, I found a copy of the RCA manual here http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/components...1975_SC-16_RCA_Solid-State_Devices_Manual.pdf
Cheers,
Richard