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.
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.
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
Tony Hadley
Model Yachts |
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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 |
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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 |
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Model Design |
Number |
Type |
Description |
Currently Available |
Water Bug |
MM 357 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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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 |