Vic Smeed’s Model Boat Designs

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Couldn't resist buying this old plan of SS Hobo when it appeared on ebay. Bidding wasn't too hectic and the price was very reasonable. The plan is in excellent condition and it last appeared in the plans handbook in 1995 under the heading Semi-Scale Ships. Semi-Scale Ships disappeared as a heading from the A5 1998 plans list, some of the plans being placed under other headings. This plan didn't re-appear in the 1998 publication along with the very similar, yet larger Painted Lady.

[OVERLORDParticipant @overlord]

Posted by Tony Hadley on 05/10/2014 11:40:43:

Can anyone help with this one? In the 1966 Power Model Boats book this airscrew driven hydrofoil Scorpion is shown. I can't find any further reference or information about it.
Does anyone know of a plan number (MM ???), or when it was featured as a magazine item? any any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony.

Hi Tony,

I'm new on this forum. When I saw your question about the Scorpion, I decided to sign up. The plan and article of the Scorpion can be found on RC Groups:

**LINK**

For several weeks now, this plan is lying around on my desk. It'll be a winter project, I think.

Regards,

Lieven

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Hi Lieven,

Thank you for confirming another of Vic's seeming lost designs. The link was also useful, apparently the design is from Flying Models, August 1958.

I hope you enjoy the forum and will post some photographs and details of the winters build, should it take place.

A build of one of Vic's other airscrew designs Scudder was posted as a thread on this site – **LINK**

My research on Vic's airscrew designs to date –

Currently available from the shop (i.e not ebay or downloads found) – Scudder MM311, Skipper MM308, Skimmer MM310 and Skater MM312.

Not currently available – Skidder (MM309) and the now added, Scorpion.

A brand new airscrew design, by Glynn Guest was recently featured in Model Boats magazine, and I'm not sure of the name or which months magazine. Thought I would mention if the winter build project takes place there may be some useful tips on building an airscrew model to a modern standard.

Thanks again,

Tony

 

Edited By Tony Hadley on 02/11/2014 19:37:33

[OVERLORDParticipant @overlord]

You're welcome Tony.

I found another airboat that doesn't figure in your list above. It's the Hydro-Bat, also found on RCG:

**LINK**

Lieven

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Hi Lieven,

Thanks again.

Will this be next winters project? Note the comments on RCG – for use in the 'rain puddles' – what a neat idea! No give away as to which magazine this was from, but RCG do suggest 1965.

Thanks again,

Tony.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Hi Lieven,

Meant to mention, the Glynn Guest A/S design was in the October 2014 issue with a free plan.

**LINK**

Tony

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Here's this winter's project for me (well, one of 'em). It's Vic's Twinkler, which is 20" long, mainly balsa and has a Speed 400 running on a 2S LiPo battery. The paint's only just dry so it hasn't been sailed yet. Let's hope it goes as well as it looks.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

A full description of Dave's Twinkler build together with a reproduction of the plan will be featured in the upcoming 2015 Special issue of Model Boats so you will have to wait for a bit longer for more information on this very attractive looking model!

Colin

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Dave,

A lovely looking model, hope the sailing goes well. The blue and white colour scheme is most attractive.

Looking forward to reading about the build.

Tony.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Thanks, chaps. Just for those who are wondering, the paintwork is by Halfords rattle-cans. The colours are Appliance Gloss White and Ford Pacific Blue. The rubbing strip all around the hull is natural mahogany strip with a couple of coats of thinned clear satin varnish.
As Colin says, full details in forthcoming MB Special.

DM

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Dave

What a pretty little boat although the paint scheme looks very familiar

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Posted by Dave Milbourn on 14/01/2015 09:39:56:

The colours are Appliance Gloss White and Ford Pacific Blue.

DM

That should be Ford Olympic Blue.

DM

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

A couple of versions of Twinkler spotted on the Model Boat Mayhem site. Photo by kind permission of Bill Warder, the Chairman of the Stevenage Model Boat Club.

Bill does say the small one is in need of a re-paint but he has some fun with it. The double sized version has a brushless power set-up and "Wow does it go".

Edited By Tony Hadley on 12/04/2015 21:36:19

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

A couple of photographs of a superb T.H.V. Pathfinder (MM393) taken at the 2014 Model Engineer Exhibition. Photographs by Colin Bishop (website editor).

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Pathfinder has always been a popular and practical scale model.

Colin

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Came across this photograph of the immaculate River Thames paddle steamer, Royal Eagle in the F.C. Hambleton/M.A.P. book 'Famous Paddle Steamers. Vic Smeed's neat little balsa Royal Falcon (600mm x 75mm) is based on the Royal Eagle. The magazine item on Royal Falcon can be found in the July 1955 Model Maker magazine.

The General Steam Navigation's Royal Eagle was built in 1932 at Cammell Lairds. She was 290 x 36.5ft.

[Barry MartinParticipant @barrymartin11489]

Very interesting article on Vic Smeed – such a talented designer of aircraft, boats, and cars. I have built his "Debutante" model aircraft, originally intended for a Mills 75, but mine was electric, like all Vic's designs, pretty and effective. Now into boats, and I have built "Bobby", a free plan from Model Boats July 1977, which was developed by Lou Jefferys, from an original design by Vic. I have the plan, and the article, in which there is a picture of " Twinkler", which seems to have been the basis for "Bobby"? " Bobby" is a chine hull with a superstructure modelled on a police launch. Has anyone else built one?

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for the good comments on the Vic Smeed item. I never realised "Bobby" was one of Vic's designs and I've updated the list, always thought the design was L. Jeffreys, but reading the plan it does say 'from an original design by Vic Smeed'. The list seems to keep growing. The aircraft list currently stands at eighty plans and the car list is five plans.

There are a couple of threads on the design, here are the links. (Note: sadly Larry Whetton, who is quite active in these threads, passed away in 2014).

**LINK**

**LINK**

Do you still have your model of "Bobby" or any photographs to post?

 

 

 

Edited By Tony Hadley on 07/06/2015 20:17:56

[Barry MartinParticipant @barrymartin11489]

Tony, yes, still have "Bobby",–and, your LINK shows MY 75% " Bobby's" which I made for two of my grandchildren! Made them both out of styrene, one intended to be "police", the other" fire". Nothing to do with Southport Club, I am secretary of North West Scale Model Boat Club, sailing at Horwich, Greater Manchester. I only have the red Fire one now, and if someone can tell me how to post pictures, I will do. Bobby is a design which lends itself to different versions – police,fire, rescue, custom, pleasure launch, etc. just by changing the cabin top.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Barry,

Have a look at the FAQ section in the right hand column. You need to create an album and then when posting you can use the camera symbol in the posting symbol menu to bring it into the post. You should reduce the image file size to under 500kb before uploading though as the files that come off modern cameras are too big!

Colin

[Barry MartinParticipant @barrymartin11489]

Thanks, Colin, I hope this works!

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

I have been undertaking a little project of my own and in checking a Model Maker Mag Dec 1963 I have come across a Vic Smeed Plan which when I could not find it on my list ( Model Boats) looked a bit closer at the text, this was apparently a free plan in the 1963 Radio Control Models & Electronics 1963 ( I assume put in the MM mag by the original owner)

Model is called Tom Tom

Twin hulled.. IC ..No R/c !!

17.5 inches long 7.5w 5.5h

Could not see it on your list but apologise if it is..

 

 

Edited By The Long Build on 17/06/2015 20:36:18

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

Oops,just seen page 2 of this thread, the other Larry built one..doh..

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Larry,

Tom Tom appears on the list, last page (p34) half way down. Larry Whetton started to build one and it is shown on page two of this thread. I am unsure as to how much progress he made with the model. I've also posted the magazine item earlier in this thread. This would make into an interesting model as catamarans are rare and at 18" long storage and transport wouldn't be a problem.

One design which has come to light since the list was published is "Zing Ray", a three point hydroplane for R/C. A free plan and article were in the December 1970 Model Boats and two further articles appeared in the January and February 1971 magazines. Anyone got any photographs or information to post?

Barry, I bought a copy of the 1977 Model Boats at £1.35 from ebay, which features "Bobby" by L Jeffreys, from an original design by Vic Smeed.. The text reads – "The original hull design was published in Radio Control Models and Electronics, July 1963", hence the model is modified Twinkler. The magazine has previously been in a ring file binder storage system and has the punch holes, but these are no problem.

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

Any help..

Interesting that the article in Feb 71 says TBC , but I can not see any further mention.

 

Edited By The Long Build on 17/06/2015 22:24:11

Edited By The Long Build on 17/06/2015 22:24:55

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