Vic Smeed’s Silver Mist

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

After several months of wanton idleness, I've finally decided to build the very attractive Vic Smeed model…….Silver Mist

Scaling up, 2 to 1 gives a model length of 42 inches

Here we go boys……..At a leisurely pace

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Enlarged version by Bob Abell

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

What a lovely design to choose Bob,

The original magazine item was over four months, back in 1958. The September, October, November and December Model Maker magazines with a colour illustration on the front cover of the September edition.

A photograph of Vic's original from the 1966 edition of Vic's book, Power Model Boats.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Tony, Ian, Colin and others, for your enthusiastic support

It will be nice to get back in my building harness again

The picture is the front cover of the 1958 September issue of the Model Maker magazine, showing Silver Mist herself

1958 was a dramatic year for the writer

Mum had just passed away, Dad had gone into long term hospital, and brother Geoff started his National Service

So I was left on my own……..In a dark old haunted house!

Cheer up chaps!…….All is not lost, about this time, I met my future lovely wife, Joyce, at the local Dancing School

So that sets the scene for the birth of the Silver Mist model!

Very nice and moving start, Bob, says Kevin with his hanky out

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Quickly moving on, we have a nice view of the actual plan, showing the original model of 21 inches in length

Note the original price!………..3/6d…………That's 17 and a half new pence to the young readers……..Today, it's about £12,50

Such is life, eh?

I intend to enlarge the plan for a model about 42" in length and powered by a complex belt driven motor drive, which should be interesting

The model looks a very nice bulbous shape, which gives it, it's old world charm?

A very nice plan indeed………Vic Smeed certainly put his heart and soul into his designs

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

We also have the " Words and music" for the build, which is nice to have and makes interesting reading

I think the original model was made of Balsa Wood and cellulose cement………Which had a lovely heady smell!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Colin…….I've had a brilliant idea!…………And it's a chance magazine to really shine!

The Silver Mist plan is quite small……..

How about My Hobby Store offering an enlargement service?

Any chance?

Bob wth fingers crossed

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

While it would be possible Bob it simply wouldn't be worth their while. Also I believe that the plans are actually produced and despatched by an outside firm. Much cheaper and simpler for you to just get the plan 'as it comes' and take it down to your local copy shop in your own time where you can oversee the process and ensure that you get exactly what you want.

Of course it would be nice if you could just order the computer file and take that along instead but that encourages pirating so the company isn't keen on the idea although I rather doubt if the plans service really makes very much money. Individual plans like Silver Mist might only sell one or two a year.

There could be further complications too. Obviously you know what you are doing but other people might decide to downsize a plan and build a model that doesn't work properly and then complain to MHS. At least you know that in most cases a successful model has been constructed from the plan as it stands. Once you start changing the dimensions then all sorts of potential issues arise which need a bit of experience to assess and deal with.

Like a lot of things, just because something is possible doesn't mean that it is commercially attractive.

Looking at your photo of the article it is interesting to see that it is headed 'Boating for Beginners'. I don't think it would quite come into that category these days when many people are not ken to tackle hull construction, or even work in wood.

You will make a lovely model of Silver Mist and we all look forward to following the build.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ian Gardner

I notice you possess the October edition of the magazine

Would you be so kind as to post the next instalment of the build please?

As long as this does not cause a problem with MyHobbyShop of course?

Many thanks

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Bob,

For having the plans enlarged, Hobs Reprographic, at the top end of Deansgate, Manchester opposite the Great Northern.

For the other parts of the magazine item, try Larry (the Long Build) who could have them.

Edited By Tony Hadley on 28/03/2016 10:31:38

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Colin

I didn't really think that MHS would be interested in the enlargement idea

I'll stick with the old system and will probably do my own enlargements…….The hard way

Thanks also to my pal from Bury Metro…….Tony Hadley

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hello Bob,

I'm delighted that you are going to build Silver Mist and I shall follow your progress with great interest. It was always one of my favourite Vic Smeed designs- I'd been ogling the pictures in Power Model Boats for about forty years! I always make it a point of interest when building these old boats to try and track down the original Model Maker magazine that contained the article-I'm just awaiting a 1954 copy from Ebay that had the Mistral article in and it's always worth putting in a search for a specific copy you want. Various dealers sell them for 5 or 6 quid a copy- worth every penny in my opinion.

I have all the the Silver Mist copies- it ran over three months as Tony pointed out, and, whilst I would be reluctant to part with them, I'd be more than happy to scan and send the articles to you. A forum member did that for me while I was searching for mine. It's not the same as having the original though.

It's certainly worth looking for the special with Tony's article about Vic Smeed- it was a labour of love on his part and I was thrilled when two of my models were included in the article- the first, and probably the last time I will have models in the magazine! Tony has great knowledge on this subject and helped me only recently with the date of the Mistral design.

Your Silver Mist at 42'' will be a lovely, chunky model and, as I said, probably about 22lb. She'll have great presence on the water.

You asked if Silver Mist was based on an original boat and the articles describe how Vic saw the original whilst in Falmouth- it was being used as a test boat for Lister engines and, if memory serves, was called Silver Vanity. The boat was, as far as I can tell, a design by John Bain of James Silver Yachts from Rosneath and they were from the mid thirties. I have found reference to them being of the Brown Owl class but I confess to being confused as there are several types of vessel that are described as Brown Owl- but all by John bain and built by Silver's.

You may notice that I changed the cabin window shape from Vic's design and this was as a result of seeing photos of original Silver yachts, especially as I didn't fancy making those window frames in metal!. I have some links to existing yachts similar to Silver Mist and will put them up later- I have blithered on enough.

Let me know if I can help with scans of the articles.

All the best,

Ian

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

That's not blithering Ian, really interesting stuff which helps bring the boat to life.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank Ian

I'm pleased that you like the idea of a 42" model……I may make it 48" yet!

I'll not persue the rest of the instructions at the moment, as MHS may object to publication?

I did spot the source of the full size craft source, in Vic's write up, but later, the design was based on photographs

Don't mind that……Vic's design is good enough for me

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Bob, there won't be any problems in reproducing an article that old.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Colin

The plan is now ordered

Just realised a slight problem!…….Due to increase in length……There will be a need for extra bulkheads!

That'll be an interesting challenge?

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Yes Bob, that's exactly the sort of thing I was referring to in my earlier post. Shouldn't cause you any big problems though.

Colin

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

48'' would be some model. Sticking my neck out I reckon you are in for about 33lb! My model weighs about 14lb, so 48/36=1.3333333. 14x 1.3333333 cubed gives 33.1lb. Perhaps someone could check my thinking on that!

I mentioned some links I had found and here they are.

**LINK**

**LINK**

**LINK**

**LINK**

The last site doesn't have anything much resembling Silver Mist but does have a couple that just make me go weak at the knees! Have look at 'Brisk', 'Maudorces', 'Phyliss Irene' and 'Seahawk'.

The yacht Moiena had a very chequered career, from Dunkirk to running hash!

Hope the links all work.

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Ian

Your weight estimate could be a bit high?

Say 15lb for a 3ft boat…….That's 5lb per foot…….So a 4ft boat would be roughly 20lb?

I know it's a bit wider…….So call it 25 lb?

Many thanks for the links…….Will be useful later, perhaps

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Captain Bob

You know better than this so do your calculations properly …….the final all up weight might surprise you.

Paul

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Bob,

I agree! Have another look at my calculation- I think it's about right. Displacement increases by the cube so you can't really do it any other way. 25lb is pretty hefty too- my Dunlin weighs that, and I know about it when I take her out of the car! Anyway, she'll be a fabulous boat and I can't wait to see how she goes on.

By the way, I'm building a small steam yacht based on the Silver Mist hull- same as my other one-36'' long.

All the best,

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

If Ian's model weighs 15lb for 3ft……That's clearly 5lb per foot

For a 4ft model having a similar motor and battery and same radio gear…etc

I don't think I'm far off with 25lb……..What does a foot of firewood weigh anyway?

So what are you on about?

Guess what Brutus weighs?

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Bob, it's not what the boat weighs when you have made it, it is the displacement weight when it goes in the water ballasted down to it's marks. If you double the length of the hull the volume will go up by three times and that is where the large increase of sailing weight occurs.

Colin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Bob

Don't worry about it as its just the difference between planing and displacement hulls, as Colin says the methods of calculation changes depending upon the type of hull as having a displacement hull the Silver Mist will sit quite low in the water compared to Brutus which has a planing style hull and sat on top of the water.

This build is your opportunity to use your much discussed pumped water ballast system.

I am really looking forward to this build as your choice of subject is lovely boat and will look super on the water.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

To be honest, Paul…..I didn't consider required ballast

I wonder what Ian's 14ib included?

When the time comes, I'll decide on ballast, when she's afloat in Coniston Pool

Joyce is very pleased that I'm making another model btw……She's never stopped whinging about the paddling pool on the drive, doing nowt!

Bob

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