Vic Smeed’s Model Boat Designs

by

 Victor Ernest Smeed

(b 01/10/1923 – d 04/01/2011)

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Vic Smeed with 'Genie'

As a six year old young boy Vic Smeed started building model boats, this interest would stay with him throughout his life. He started his career in the model building industry by opening a small modelling business before his contributions to the modelling magazines commenced.

His first model boat design, a cabin cruiser Lorelei, appeared in Model Maker (MM) in Jan 1953. This was followed by a two part series on airscrew driven hydroplanes, part one appeared in December 1953 with Skimmer. The concluding item appeared the following month featuring Scudder and Skater. These airscrew designs were probably influenced by his time spent in WW2 as an RAF fighter pilot. Model Aircraft, cars and railways were also in his remit, but boats were always his No 1 modelling subject.

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In 1953, he was appointed assistant editor of MM, then editor in 1959 overseeing changes to the magazine which finally ended up with the title Model Boats.

After his resignation in 1977, he was still heavily involved with the model industry as he became a freelance writer and builder. Organising the Model Engineer exhibition and appearing on TV programmes were also included in his busy schedule.

Many books were written by Vic on various model making subjects. His well known model boat books, Power Model Boats, Boat Modelling and Model Ships are still a good reference source today, on the understanding that the model builder adopts modern materials, equipment, procedures and safety standards. These books can still be bought on eBay and are sometimes found in second hand book shops.

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The second part of this article is a list of plans. Judging by the vast amount and numerous designs, there must be something for every model boat builder to choose from. Many of these designs by Vic are tried and tested over the years and I have yet to hear of any negative comments on the finished boat model. What a good test for the durability of his designs, as written in the Paddle Steamer section of the 1966 book Power Model Boats, a balsa built 24” x 3” Royal Falcon Paddler crossed Brotherswater in the Lake district in 55mins.

If you are aware of any omissions to this plans list or have any photographs of models built to Vic’s designs please post in the website forum. Photographs must of course be taken by yourself to avoid any copyright infringement. If the photographed model is not your property, please ask the models owner for permission to post on a public site.

I hope you find the list useful

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Tony Hadley

 

Model Yachts

 

 

 

 

Model Design

Number

Type

Description

Currently Available

Water Baby ‘A’

MM 354

Yacht

25” MM class round bilge, for vertical bread-and-butter or glass fibre construction. All rigging and simplified Vane Gear.

Y

Water Baby ‘B’

MM 355

Yacht

As Water Baby A but for Rib and Plank construction.

Y

Sea Urchin

MM 361

Yacht

Hard chine boat to 25” MM class. Complete details including vane etc; balsa and ply construction.

N

Sea Mew

MM 533

Yacht

36” racing catamaran. Twin round bilge hulls. Mainly ply construction. 18” beam.

Y

Wind Rider

BBC TV

Yacht

Simple Yacht to accompany Model World BBC series 1975

N

Hobnoblin

 

Yacht

36R

36” Restricted class yacht. Issued as a free plan to accompany build series.

N

Spook

MM 1297

Yacht

R10R

A relatively easy 10 rater for vane or radio. Hull and bodylines at half size. Sail plan at 1:10

Y

Genie

MM 1175

Yacht

RM

Very simple double chine Marblehead with beginners in mind. Displacement 15.5 lbs.

Y

Harem

RM 258

Yacht

RM

A hard chine RM featuring a cabin/cockpit. Full sized plan and elevation. Suggested construction.

N

Marcie

MM 1304

Yacht

RM

Lightweight RM for inland or light weather waters.

Y

Afrit

MM 1200

Yacht

RA

Lightweight design. Suitable for vane or radio.

Y

Gosling

MM 1164

Yacht

R36R

Very simple and inexpensive model which gives excellent performance. Hard chine form.

Y

Duckling

MM 1344

Yacht R36R

Very simple to build based on a vac formed hull. Superbly detailed plan to satisfy the novice.

Y

Krispie

MM 1404

Yacht

R36R

Radio and vane steering. Unorthodox double diagonal planking/timber planked/grp.

Y

Starlet

MM 1048

Yacht

34” x 9.5” simple all ply yacht. Semi-scale cockpit and cabin.

Y

Dabchick

MM 1024

Yacht

24” x 6” ultra simple yacht.

Balsa and ply fin or all ply. Inexpensive to build.

Y

Panache

MM 1299

Yacht

30” semi-scale ocean racer for wood construction.

Y

Witchwind

RM 231

Yacht

Neat 30” x 6” yacht. Simple double chine construction in balsa (or ply).

Y

Star C

MM 1128

Yacht

A 42” “one design” r/c yacht. Designed for easy and inexpensive completion.

Y

Wing Ray

MM 1311

Yacht

A fascinating wing sail r/c yacht. Simple construction from balsa and ply.

N

Demon

V 101

Yacht

RM

Simple but nice looking Marblehead yacht for vane or radio. Suitable for complete beginners.

Y

Snow Goose

V 106

Yacht

R36R

Attractive and simple 36” restricted yacht for vane or radio. Suitable for beginners.

Ply construction.

Y

Spray

V 113

Scale

Yacht

45” loa (30” hull) sailing model of Joshua Slocum’s round the world yacht.

Y

Star Baby

MAR 3295

Yacht

71.2cm x 22cm smaller version of Starlet. Ply construction.

Y (Traplet)

Model Power Boats

 

 

 

 

Model Design

Number

Type

Description

Currently Available

Water Bug

MM 357

 

13” all balsa design on the two shelf chine system Electric power.

Y

Mistral

MM 348

Day Cruiser

All balsa 18”, near scale with forward cabin and open well.

Y

Bustler

MM 363

Tug

18” x 6”all balsa harbour tug. Bread-and-butter construction. Hull available.

Y

Royal Falcon

MM 381

Paddle Steamer

24” near scale model of a Thames paddle steamer. Belt

driven paddles.

Y

Painted Lady

MM 442

Coaster

36” Raised quarterdeck coaster. Gummed paper over simple balsa frame

N

SS Hobo

MM 465

Tramp

24” simplified typical tramp steamer. Balsa or gummed paper.

N

STS Dilysia

MM 470

Tanker

37” near-scale, bread-and-butter bow and stern with planked midships section.

N

Silver Mist

MM 524

Motor

Launch

21” all balsa, planked round bilge hull.

Y

Veleta

MM 575

Motor Yacht

24” simple all balsa hull, sheet sides and laminated bottom.

Y

Moonmist

MM 610

 

21” all balsa hull. Easy build for beginners..

Y

Sprat

MM 624

Sub

15” ultra simple submarine. Automatic diving.

Y

Lorelei

MM 267

Cabin Cruiser

34” very simple two shelf hard chine cabin cruiser.

Y

Lorette

MM 370

Cruiser

34” semi-scale cruiser. Conventional construction, slightly simplified lines for easy building.

Y

Runabout

MM 480

Speed Boat.

18” ply construction open cockpit speed boat.

N

Tuna

MM 505

Patrol Boat

34” freelance patrol boat. Conventional chine or commercial f/g hull.

Y

Lorosa

MM 506

Cabin Cruiser

24” near-scale cabin cruiser of simple construction.

Y

Lorraine

MM 512

Motor Yacht

Elegant 54” motor yacht, Plan shows both chine and bilge hull.

Y

Kingfisher

MM 516

Cabin Cruiser

22” all balsa construction. Especially for beginners.

N

Lorena

MM 526

Motor Yacht

42” motor yacht with hard chine or round bilge hull.

N

Scudabout

MM 535

Cabin Cruiser

16.5” really nippy miniature cabin cruiser.

N

Pirana

MM 620

Express Cruiser

28” scale appearance express cruiser. 2 hulls on plan, one simple and one advanced.

Y

Querida

MM 640

Cabin Cruiser

40” fast cabin cruiser with simple but handsome lines. One piece superstructure.

N

Vivacity

MM 652

Cabin Cruiser

Large 54” x 17” cabin cruiser of simple construction.

Y

Spurtster

MM 695

Hydrojet

27” unusual model designed around Taplin-Baker hydrojet.

Y

Slalome

MM 718

Missile Launch

30” freelance missile launch. Novel construction and excellent performance.

Y

Moonglow

MM 800

 

35” model power boat of the simplest possible form. Only 8 pieces make the hull.

Y

Vosper Royal Barge

MM 356

Royal Barge

Magnificent 30” (0.75” to 1ft) model of prototype. Completely authentic. All ply construction.

 

Y

 

 

 

Thorney

Croft MTB

MM 337

MTB

36.75” (1:24 scale) authentic scale model. Extremely detailed.

Y

Liverpool Type Lifeboat

MM 374

Life Boat

Accurate 26” (0.75” to 1ft) lifeboat model. Balsa or Obeche construction.

Y

Liverpool Type Lifeboat

MM

1448

Life

Boat

As MM 364 but 1” to 1ft scale. Styrene hull available.

Y

Alter Ego

MM 377

Hydro plane

Simple ply/balsa scale model of world record 3 point hydroplane.

Y

Pathfinder

MM 393

Pilot Tender

44.675” (0.25” to 1ft) Trinity House pilot tender. Simple construction on 2 sheets. Suitable for steam.

Y

Range

Safety Launch

MM 412

RAF Launch

43” (1” to 1ft) authentic model of a Thorneycroft RAF launch. Ply construction.

Y

MV Arran

MM 415

Clyde Ferry

31” (4mm to 1ft) model of a Clyde ferry. Balsa/ply construction. OO/HO scale.

N

RNLB Plymouth

MM 418

Life Boat

39” (0.75” to 1ft) accurate Barnett-Stromness lifeboat. Bread-and-butter for experienced builders.

Y

MV Pateke

MM 424

Cargo Vessel

50” (0.25” scale) shelter deck cargo vessel for experienced builders. Lines and superstructure only.

N

MV Frank Rayner

MM 432

Canal Vessel

31” unusual model of canal motor vessel. Dwg. Includes Trent barge for towing.

N

RMS Empress of Britain

MM 445

Liner

38.5” (1/200th scale) bread-and-butter hull. Canadian Pacific Liner.

N

Magga Dan

MM 456

Polar Vessel

30.5” (0.125” to 1ft) long model of famous Polar vessel. Large amount of detail. Bread-and-butter.

N

Mis’deeds

MM 483

Thames Cruiser

12.5” (0.5” scale) model of a Thames hire cruiser. Clinker or flush planking. 8 page booklet inc. full sized dwg’s and interior details.

Y

HMS Cossack

MM 500

Warship

38” (1/10scale) Tribal class destroyer. Simple balsa/ply construction.

Y

Vosper RTTL

MM 530

RAF Launch

34” (1:24 scale) RAF high speed launch. Ply construction.

Y

Speranza

MM 550

Motor Yacht

38.5 x 12.5” fast motor yacht. Diagonal plank or ply construction.

Y

Vosper PL4

MM 560

Launch

46” scale personnel launch of sleek appearance. Clean superstructure and flared hull.

Y

Cervia

MM 567

Thames Tug

28” x 6.75” (1: 48 scale) Thames tug. Bread-and-butter construction. Not for beginners. Hull available.

Y

Fairmile Type ‘C’ML

MM 585

Motor Launch

Long-55”-but narrow-8.5” WW2 motor launch. (1:24 scale). Simplified hull but authentic lines.

Y

Bardic Ferry

MM 636

Vehicle Ferry

42.25” (.125” scale). Bread-and-butter hull, composite top. Lots of detail work.

Y

Pilot II

MM 645

Pilot Launch

24” pilot launch. Balsa planked, round bilge.

Y

E Boat

MM 667

German MTB

35” (1:32 scale) German S-boat. Round bilge hull, simple construction.

Y

Fairey Huntsman

MM 680

Fast Cruiser

42” handsome fast cruiser. Ply construction.

Y

Sea Rider

BBC TV

Warship

Simple Leander class frigate to accompany Model World BBC series 1975

N

Skipper

MM 308

A/S Hydro plane

Ultra simple all balsa skimming dish airscrew driven hydroplane.

Y

Skimmer

MM 310

A/S Hydro plane

Twin pontoon of simplest possible construction. Airscrew driven hydroplane.

Y

Skidder

MM 309

A/S Hydro plane

Ply and balsa extremely fast airscrew driven competition hydroplane

N

Skater

MM 312

A/S Hydro plane

Ply and balsa three float airscrew driven hydroplane of advanced design. Extremely fast.

Y

Scudder

MM 311

A/S Hydro plane

Large twin pontoon model with central fuselage and pusher airscrew.

Y

Harlech Castle

MM 1183

Warship

32” (1/96 scale) Corvette based on the Castle class but with modified superstructure. Balsa/Ply.

Y

Vedette

MM 1220

Warship

30” (1/100 scale) Vickers 1100 ton mini-warship. Easy to build but care is needed with weight.

N

QE 2

MM 1020

Pass.

Ship

58” x 6.5” (1/200 scale) Cunard liner. Accurate scale dwg as launched in 1969.

N

Canal Narrow Boat

MM 1170

Narrow Boat

35” x 3.5” (1: 24 scale) Typical Grand Union or similar Narrow boat pair. No model construction.

N

St Louis Belle

MM 826

Paddle

Steamer

33” x 6.5” (1:64 scale) Mississippi stern-wheeler. For experienced builders. GRP hull available.

Y

Guardsman

MM 1330

Customs

Launch

22.5” x 6” typical HM Customs launch of the1920’s. Styrene hull available

Y

Yarra

MM 1346

Tug

22” x 6.25” (1:48 scale) Australian Tug. Plan includes build details.

Y

Lochinvar

MM 1410

Clyde Puffer

17” x 4.5” (1:48 scale) easily constructed. Styrene Hull available.

Y

River Queen

V102

Steam Launch

35” x 10.5” (1/8 scale) clinker built based on Forester’s African Queen. G/F hull available.

Y

Melinda

V 111

River Launch

35” x 6.5” carvel hull based on an early petrol launch c1906

Y

Cormorant

V 112

Trawler

Detailed structure drawings for a 2 man trawler. Vac formed hull available.

Y

Tiddler

V 104

TID Tug

20” x 5.25” double-chine beginners model. Balsa, ply or card construction.

Y

Moonwind

V 105

Sport Model

27” x 9.5” ultra simple beginners model. Only 8 pieces make the hull.

Y

American Tug

V 109

Tug

25.5” x 6” (¼ scale). Based on Erie Railroad’s Akron. Chunky superstructure and heavy hull belting.

Y

Steam Trawler

V 110

Trawler

37.5” x 6.25” 1930 steam trawler. Lots of detail for the enthusiast. Suitable for steam.

Y

Jeanie Deans

C 54

Paddle Steamer

32” x 3.75” (1/96 scale). Lines and details from a yard original drawing.

Y

Columba

C 56

Paddle Steamer

39” x 3.375” (1/96 scale). Lines and visible detail only.

Y

TSMV Princess of Vancouver

C 53

Sea Ferry

52” x 8” (1/96 scale). Hull plan and profile, body plan visible detail

Y

Turmoil

C 58

Salvage Tug

38” x 7.25” (1/64 scale). Plan and sheer views, body plan etc.

Y

MV Cumbrae

C 52

Pilot Boat

34” x 6.875” (1/32 scale). Lines and visible detail only.

Y

Fairmile type D

C 62

MTB

41.25” x 8”. Drawing shows model construction etc.

Y

HMS Amethyst

C 59

Warship

37.25” x 4.675” (1/96 scale). Plan, profile, body plan, general detail.

Y

Waverley

C 55

Paddle Steamer

31” x 3.75” (1/96 scale). Lines and external details only.

Y

Caledonia

C 57

Paddle Steamer

43” x 5.675” (1/64 scale). Lines and external detail.

Y

Clyde Puffer

C 51

Steam Puffer

17.5” x 4.5” (1/48 scale). Lines and visible detail, no structure. Vac formed hull available.

Y

HMS Grey Goose

C 61

Warship

36” x 7.25”. Plans showing model structure etc.

Y

Hunt Class Destroyer

C 60

Warship

35” x 4” (1/96 scale). Plan, profile, visible detail.

Y

SS Unity

MM 1302

Cargo Vessel

27” loa semi scale elementary design. Balsa/ ply construction

N

Dimarcha

MM 836

Cabin Cruiser

30” x 8.25” (1:24 scale) Vosper deep sea motor yacht.

Y

Moccasin

MM 1062

Fast Electric

21” x 8.5” lightweight balsa with ply spray strips.

Y

Sniper

MM 1224

Fast Electric

22” x 9”successful design developed by Dave Wooley.

Y

Cachalot

MM 1023

R/C Comp.

30” x 10” for multi-racing or r/c steering.

Y

Remora

MM 812

R/C Comp.

30” x 10.75” conventional construction speed steering boat.

Y

Hammerh’d

MM 1015

Offshore

36” x 15” unusual-looking with wide flared bow and moderate V hull. Hammerhead

Y

Snapper

MM 1000

R/C Comp.

25” x 10” semi-scale racer. Simple ply construction.

Y

Suzie Q

MM 819

Offshore

27” x 9” offshore power boat racer.

Y

Musketeer

MM 1111

R/C Comp.

28” x 9” multi-race or fast steering model. Ply construction.

Y

 


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