Vic Smeed

[glennParticipant @glenn]

It was with great sadness i read of the passing of Vic Smeed. many modellers first builds will have been designed by him, including myself. A true gentleman & a talented designer, who will be sadly missed.

[glennParticipant @glenn]

Loss of a Legend

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

yes indeed.

my first build to plan at the age of 10 years, 50 years ago this summer, was the steam tug Bustler from MAP plans……..i thought it was the bees kneees.

god bless him, and his family  and may he have safe travels in the next life.

neil

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Most people here probably associate the name, Vic Smeed, with model boats, but I first heard of him when I became interested in model aircraft in the early 1950s. My very first scratch built model was a Vic Smeed designed “Tomboy” free flight aircraft, which I built in 1954, and powered with an ED1.49 diesel. I used to fly it in a cow paddock, where it terrorised all the resident cattle. Fortunately, the cattle were owned by my uncle, with whom I was living at the time.

 

I was quite surprised, when I Googled “Vic Smeed”, to find that most of the Google entries with his name concern that particular design. Many “Tomboys” are still flying at club fields all around the world. Some were enlarged and others converted to radio control. I still have that original plan, even after more than 50 years.

 

It wasn’t until some years after building my “Tomboy” that I became aware of Vic’s passion for model boat design. There must be literally thousands of examples of his designs sailing on ponds and lakes wherever model boats gather.

 

He was an icon in his field and will be sorely missed. 

 

Peter. 

 

 

Edited By Peter Fitness on 06/01/2011 00:28:38

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

I was thumbing through Vic Smeed’s Power Model Boats just before I read about his passing here. I am actually completing one of his designs, an enlarged Silver Mist , at the moment.

I agree he did a huge amount for the hobby and I believe many would appreciate  some sort of commemoration  in Model Boats.

He may have gone but his designs will live on and, I imagine, will always inspire.

 

Ian.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Vic was an enormous influence in both boat and aero modelling with the vast range of his designs in both fields in the post WW2 era and model makers owe him an enormous debt.

 

Vic was Editor of Model Maker, later Model Boats, from 1959 to 1977 after holding the position of Assistant Editor for a number of years. It is true to say than no other individual had such a major influence on Model Boating and many members will have owed their introduction to model boating to a Vic Smeed design, myself among them. Truly, he can be regarded as the Father of Model Boating in the UK, his designs still make up a large proportion of the MyHobbyStore Plans Service for both boats and planes.

 

I had some correspondence with Vic last year when I sent him a copy of the 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition of Model Boats and he was generous in his praise of my modest efforts and totally on the ball despite being well into his 90s.

 

Prior to joining Model Maker, Vic served as a fighter pilot in WW2 and served his Country as well as his fellow modellers.

 

I doubt if we will see his like again and we should celebrate his achievements in the way they deserve.

 

Colin

[mickParticipant @mick]

i have over the years  made quite a few of his plans  of different boats

he will be sadly missed every plan a classic 

[Rick FryerParticipant @rickfryer11539]

Nicely put, Colin, and echoing my sentiments exactly. My interest in modelmaking in general and model boats in particular dates from the mid 1950s and is almost solely down to Vic Smeed and “Model Maker”. I hope we can expect a good “obit” soon in “Model Boats”?

Rick

 

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I understand that Dave Wooley will be preparing the obituary, he knew Vic when he was Editor of Model Boats and it was Vic who encouraged him to begin writing for the magazine.

 

Colin

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

How about also a poll on which plan was possible felt to be one of his most popular and then re-issuing at a later date in memory ?.

 

Larry

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

There is scope to include a build feature from one of his plans in the 2011 Special Issue which I am currently preparing. It is unlikely to include the full size plan though as ‘stitched in’ plans need to be in a particular format and size.

 

If anyone has suggestions within the next week then I would be very pleased to consider them. It must be a plan which is still currently available from MHS though..

 

Colin

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

how about the timeless BUSTLER that many a young modeller cut his/her teath on, Colin.

 

that would make a fitting tribute, i think.

neil.

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

I think his Guardsman was a beaut- simple construction but ship shape lines and there is a plastic hull as well.

Ian

[KozmykParticipant @kozmyk]

If ever a name was synonymous with model making it was Vic Smeed.

As a lad I built his Moonglow, then a Remora and, I think, one of his plane designs.

Rubber powered free-flight. I forget the name.

Thanks Vic.

[Red KenParticipant @redken]

Very sorry to hear of Vic’s passing but he has left us a great legacy.

My vote for one of his designs would be Bustler.

My first try at a model boat (only last year) was Bustler, which I scaled up and changed part of the rear superstructure to mimic a Thames Tug.

I obviously have a soft spot for this design as it started my interest in this field, perhaps it will start others.

If an article is put together maybe readers who have built this model could submit photo’s of their versions.

Thanks for Bustler, Vic.

[B BParticipant @bb42502]

A very sad passing indeed. I have two of his books in my collection and I still get good ideas from them now and then. I also have a plan or two in my collection as well.

My heart felt condolences to his family and close freinds. He brought so much joy to the modeling world. He will be missed for many years to come.

Bernhard

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