Silver Mist

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13 October 2011 at 16:23 #3767
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
An old Vic Smeed design built to a larger scale- maiden voyage (if anyone is interested!)
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13 October 2011 at 16:23 #32097
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
I have been building this boat on and off for quite a while now and arrived at a point where I could try it on the water.

It weighed in at around 151/2lb in the end which was a surprise. It seemed to go well with an MFA 919D 2:1 geared motor with a three bladed 40mm brass prop. The battery is NiMH 7.2v 3700mah. It was out on the water for about two hours and showed no sign of running down.

I was very pleased with the general impression on the water and

just need to finish off a few details, such as blocks and falls on the davits and a little standing rigging on the mast.
13 October 2011 at 21:44 #32100
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Ian. I like that, It exudes olde world charm, there are a few boats like that on the Thames at Molesey, same colours as well… a nice cream with a bit of varnished wood on top. Nice. Classic. Don`t forget the crew !!

Is this geared unit the one with the 540/1 motor? If it is its no wonder it goes for ages as the prop would not be loading it up too much and in any event, the couple of boats I have with the same motor driving similar props direct run for ages on a 6v 4.5Ahr sla..

Ashley
13 October 2011 at 22:36 #32102
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Yes it is the MFA 540 motor, actually geared 2.5:1 when I checked again. I have a 6:1 motor in my 25lb boat on a 12v 7ah SLA, and I give it a token charge every few months but I don’t think I could ever run it out.

I do find these motors very noisy (electrically) and had to resort to wrapping this one in foil, in addition to the normal suppression. Using 2.4 has cured it on the other boat but not this one. Luckily, it got only vaguely warm over a two hour run, so not a problem.

As for crew, I can’t find anything suitable yet. It is 1/16th scale and 16mm railway figures are close but nothing seems to suit. I’m still looking and may have to resort to making some of my own.

Thanks for posting.

Ian
17 October 2011 at 10:59 #32125
Charles Oates
Participant
@charlesoates31738
Hi Ian,

thanks for posting that, it brings back some happy memories. I built one of these way back in 19?? and it sailed beautifuly. Yours looks like one of those rare models that sits properly on the water and sails like the real thing, how much did you scale it up by?

If you find some decent 16th figures let us know, I need some too,and if you make your own please tell us how, I wouldn’t know where to begin.

Regards, Charlie.
17 October 2011 at 14:42 #32128
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Hello Charles,

Glad you liked it- it’s a boat I’ve wanted to build for many years, ever since getting a copy of Power Model Boats by Vic Smeed in the early seventies! There are some nice pictures of his boat therein.

I have to say I was pleased about how she looked on the water. The model is 36” long and therefore enlarged by 1.7 giving a scale of about 1:16. I think the original boats were 48′ long. I changed the saloon windows from Vic Smeed’s original design, as I saw a similar boat on a website dedicated to James Silver motor yachts with this arrangement- it saved having to make window frames.

George Turner does some very nice resin figures in a variety of scales but not many in 1:16 and the ones he does have baseball caps on. I’m sure they could be adapted- I don’t know what you’re after.

As for making figures it’s always the head which gives problems- but bodies can be made up with a wire armature and buillt up with Milliput or Das modelling clay. The character with a mug of tea in the aft well of my Dunlin (see album) is one of mine but I would be the first to admit he does look a bit odd!

Any photos of your Silver Mist? There was another one in the album built quite recently.

All the best,

Ian
18 March 2013 at 14:55 #39764
Ray Skinner
Participant
@rayskinner41169
Does anyone have the construction details for "Silver Mist" they could email to me or I could send a stamped addressed envelope. I have the plan but not the building instructions. Any pictures would help too.

Thank you.

Regards

Ray Skinner
18 March 2013 at 22:49 #39769
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Hi Ray,

As far as I'm aware there aren't any instructions for the building of Silver Mist although I have never seen the original Model Maker article- would love to actually. The plans are pretty self explanatory and the hull goes together very nicely- I've built two Silver Mist hulls now at 1:16. Incidentally, there are some photos of the construction in Vic Smeed's Power Model Boats

One of the things I loved about Vic Smeed's designs was that they were proper boat shapes and could stand enlargement. I'm just in the process of doing the preliminary work on an enlarged Guardsman. It will be 1:20 and 36'' long and hopefully steam powered. I started a small one on a plastic hull but couldn't get fired up about something that wasn't wood so that has gone on the back burner!

Good luck with your Silver Mist.

Ian
19 March 2013 at 03:08 #39770
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Most of Vic Smeed's plans were proper 'model making' drawings and contained sufficient information to build the model without the need for separate instructions.

Colin
19 March 2013 at 09:17 #39773
Ray Skinner
Participant
@rayskinner41169
Thank you for your replies Ian and Colin, I'm fairly new to building model boats although I have been building the steam launch "Miranda" which is almost finished apart from the steam engine itself.

I understand Ian, what you mean about plastic hulls, dosen't do anything for me either.

Hope to see progress reports on the "Guardsman" in the future

Ray
19 March 2013 at 12:12 #39777
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
I hadn't picked up on this thread before………..by gum that brings back memories………. My old school chum built one of these at the same time that I built the Vic smeed Bustler way back when we were 10/11 years old, out of balsa……we helped each other overcome the problems we had, and they were great fun to build…….

Yours is a lovely looking model, Ian

great nostalgia. looking back at 50 odd years of memories.

neil
21 March 2013 at 09:45 #39805
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Thank you Neil- I take it as a great compliment coming from a modeller of your reputation.

Ray, I haven't forgotten I promised some scans of the pics in Power Model Boats-not much but interesting if you haven't seen them. There is a photo of a very youthfull looking Vic Smeed with his original Silver Mist. I'll try and get on it today.

Can someone provide the name and address of the gent producing the George Turner figures? Can't find a website and would like some for my Silver Mist.

Ian

Edited By Ian Gardner on 21/03/2013 09:46:06
21 March 2013 at 21:59 #39821
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
In addition to the photographs in the Power Model Boats book, there is a reduced plan of Silver Mist in the back of Vic Smeeds 1984/5 publication Boat Modelling. These small plans are ideal as a preview before buying a full sized plan, but too small to build a model from.

Tony.
22 March 2013 at 09:17 #39825
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Ian

Can you recall what the hull colour is? I'm currently building a river cruiser and would like to use that shade.

Have you any more photos of this lovely model?

Paul
22 March 2013 at 15:59 #39840
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Hi Paul,

Nice colour isn't it? If I remember correctly it is Humbrol Linen (but I will double check for you when I'm next up in my workshop) which is a matt colour, but I always use a poly varnish over the top anyway. It does make it a bit expensive if you have a large hull to paint.-Humbrol works out quite dear per litre!!

Having experimented with different paints I always come back to Humbrol as they have such a wide range of colours. I tried Plastikote with fairly disastrous results.

There are more photos in my gallery but I mean to take some closer pictures. Glad you like it! The bright work isn't up to your standard!

All the best…Ian
22 March 2013 at 17:44 #39843
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Ian

I am sorry I didn't think of looking in your albums ….another senior moment…There are some very nice models in your collection especially the Rapier, its a model that I have never fancied but your colour scheme makes it look very attractive.

Your Silver Mist is a lovely model and there is nothing wrong with the bright work, I will see if I can find an International Yacht Paint of the same shade for my river cruiser.

All the best

Paul
23 March 2013 at 11:05 #39868
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Paul,

It's a bit of a joke with those who know my modelling habits that the colour scheme is probably the first thing I think about with a new model. My wife's first question is always,' What colour wll it be?'

I enjoyed the Lesro models as they are the last in a line of designs by Les Rowell (I think) and are now pretty old themselves. I was told when I bought the Rapier kit from Lesro that it was the last one they had. I have had endless problems with it despite my best efforts to make sure everything was correct in terms of current draw and esc capability.

Knowing your penchant for large boats I didn't think Humbrol was going to fit the bill. I have used International on models and full size dinghys- and still use a tin of their primer. It's worth the cost just for the smell!

Look forward to more details of your river cruiser.

All the best…Ian
27 March 2013 at 10:29 #39935
Barry Gibson
Participant
@barrygibson15259
From the 'Model Maker' September 1958.

Edited By Barry Gibson on 27/03/2013 10:39:13
27 March 2013 at 13:12 #39936
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
I have had endless problems with it despite my best efforts to make sure everything was correct in terms of current draw and esc capability.

Can I help at all?
DM
28 March 2013 at 16:14 #39960
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
First of all,isn't it lovely to see that old Model Maker article- I must search ebay and see if I can get my hands on one. Thanks for posting Barry.

Dave, thanks for the offer of help with my Rapier. I will send you a private message describing the problems I have had- I'm sure you will have some ideas. At the moment it's slung in the shed in disgrace but I expect I will simmer down and have another go with it!

All the best….Ian
28 March 2013 at 16:16 #39961
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
By the way, Barry, any chance of a scanned copy of that Silver Mist article? I know of another gent who might be interested too and I could pass it on.

Ian
28 March 2013 at 22:17 #39967
Barry Gibson
Participant
@barrygibson15259
PM me your email address and I'll send a copy to you.

Edited By Barry Gibson on 28/03/2013 22:17:51
29 March 2013 at 07:02 #39970
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Thanks, will do.

Ian
29 March 2013 at 12:22 #39973
LARRY WHETTON
Participant
@larrywhetton68737
Hello Ian,

Is the plan still around,,?…it will look like a future build , cheers Larry….

Edited By LARRY WHETTON on 29/03/2013 12:23:24
29 March 2013 at 13:03 #39974
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
Hi Larry,

The plan is still listed in the My Hobby Store catalogue. As Colin previously mentioned, it was designed with beginners in mind so there are constructional details on the plan and it goes together very well.

I look forward to your build- and knowing your work, you won't hang about!

All the best…Ian
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