Vic Smeed’s Silver Mist

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Bob,

I thought the 450 wide setting for the pages would have been large enough with the use of clicking on the image and then using the magnifier. I could contact Colin and ask him to delete the images and re-post them at a larger size or email them to you.

Must agree about Vic being a prolific designer and builder, but lets remember in years gone by this was a growing hobby, people were keen to use their skills. When a model was seen at a lake, on the track or in the air with r/c, it was seen as something special. Nowadays a model is seen as special if it doesn't have r/c. Thinking back to the days before the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties most models (excluding statics) came RTR – Bowman, Star yachts and Basset Lowke (for the ones who could afford them) and others, whereas nowadays the RTR models are making a strong return, the only difference is where they are made in the world. I went to the clubs yacht day last week and not a built boat to be seen.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks, Tony

I was only joking about the magnifying glass………I can read it quite easily

The model making world is certainly changing, with the RTR stuff……..They do look nice though!

Compared to a ready made model, my Silver Mist wouldn't get a second glance these days

Speaking for myself, the fun is in the building with it's tricks of the trade etc

Are you building something at the moment?

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

One model under construction another undergoing major upgrade. I'm building a half sized 21" balsa version of Vic's design 'Lorena' after receiving a set of the plans from Dave Milbourn. Also undertaking a major upgrade to a Dark Class FPB, new brushless installation (information on motors again from DM), new superstructure (after a shed break-in) and rectifying a prop shaft error. The prop shafts are exposed type which I had fitted the thrust washer against the 'A' frame, after reading Glynn Guests item in a Model Boats special, should have fitted collars where the shafts exit the hull – all good fun.

Just worry about the state of the water to sail them in nowadays, I can't always get there when the club are on-site so I have to make sure I sail down-wind in event of any mishaps. The filth and rubbish also get blown/washed in this direction and after the last outing when I got the model home, copious amounts of household cleaner and the hose pipe were required to clean the model. When the club are there they sail at the top end and have a rescue boat. Nowadays the lake is shared with fishermen and numerous residents who feed the wild life.

Thanks for asking.

Edited By Tony Hadley on 22/08/2016 09:30:58

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Tony……..At least you have a model on the go………And another Vic Smeed too

Vic designed some nice "Pleasing on the eye" models, I would have enjoyed meeting him

You are not painting a rosie oicture of Bury Metro Water………With your description?

Duckie and I were talking about a Sunday visit……..For old times sake…….We had a lot of friends in the club

A sail with the VGC would look nice?

More on that, later

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

What about this for a super waterline gadget, you chaps?……..A Christmas pressy from my pal, Ducky

I`ve re-established the waterline, using the cabin roof as being a level section……..And it looks ok to me

This Laser gadget is great fun to play with, it appears to be a light source hanging freely on a cord, inside the casing

That`s why the light is perfectly level and only illuminates when it is level

I`m using the Laser to make a pencil line in order to nail a sort of rubbing strip on the hull side……..For ease of painting later

It will also project a true vertical line for handy reference, later

Bob

Edited By Bob Abell on 22/08/2016 11:59:34

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Yesterday, I forgot to upload the item from December 1958 Model Maker.

Edited By Tony Hadley on 22/08/2016 14:58:51

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Tony

Very much appreciated

I think I`ve got them all now

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Making some progress today, Boys

Added the waterline strip and top edging strips………….Looking more like it now?

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Bob,

The penultimate paragraph in the December issue makes for interesting reading. Way back in 1958, a double sized model was considered at 42" x 11.5", displacing 18lb and suggestion was made of producing plans at this size.

I will leave you to get back to enjoying the building.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Tony

So nobody wrote in to Vic at the time………A pity really

My model weighs about 16 lb at the moment

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

All looking very good. I would never have thought to put a strip round the waterline- quite a good idea. I know full size boat builders scribe a line into the planking.

Tony mentions that the 42'' model would have been around 18lb according to Vic- I mentioned earlier that it might be in the order of 22lb, working from my model- so not too far off. Vic knew his stuff when it came to calculations of weight.

I'm away on holiday at the moment so can't look in quite so often but things seem to be moving on apace!

All the best,

Ian

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

Is the waterline batten a temporary measure ? I use a felt pen taped to a scribing block once I have the hull level on her marks on a flat surface.

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ray

I'm going to leave the batten strip in place……..It adds interest to the hull

I can then add the waterline plastic line very easily, later

That reminds me to get the waterline strip from Haydock

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

The waterline batten will keep the crew awake when she's moored in a choppy sea

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ian

We hope you are having a nice rest and a pleasant time on your holiday?

The model is quite light for it's size……Will probably, Bob about on the choppy water?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

That's a interesting thought, Ray

It will also act as an anti roll bar?

I think bilge keels may an asset with such a rounded hull and could act as a permanent stand too?

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

They will act like spray rails and help get her up on the plane with that big prop in no time yes bilge keels are very practical and a great idea.

Regards Ray

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Thanks Bob,

Having a smashing time in the Isle of Wight with the grandchildren. Sat watching the boats going down the Solent today, including this lovely gaff ketch, Queen Galadriel. I spotted her when I was tracking my son's ferry on the computer as he came across from Southampton on Sunday night- and there she was romping past Hurst Castle today. I'm pretty sure it was her anyway.

**LINK**

I like the appendages to the hull- as you say, it all adds interest.

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Ian

Didn`t realise there were so many Training Ships

Enjoy the rest of your holiday

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Here`s a little handy tip

Revitalise those Sanding Block edges

Get them on the Linisher!………..Not got one?………Have a word with Santa!

Sharp crisp edges are a treat to work with

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Made a start on fitting the Bilge Keels

And just high enough to act as a temporary stand

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Bob. Obviously the bilge keels are set according to the plan wot you are (loosely) following but they do look to be very close together? I suppose strictly speaking it does not matter where they are, but

​I think it is a good idea to have the keels so that the boat is its own stand, makes sense to me, also helps when at the pondside to have it free standing.

I have seen models of large tankers/container ships, and the bilge keel snakes down the side, presumably following the wave pattern of the water once the boat is at its designed cruising speed. Very clever.

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Ashley

For starters……The drawings don't show bilge keels……..You can't get much looser than that!

If the keels were wider apart, the keels wold need to be deeper, to double up as a stand in order to clear the central keel

Wide bilge keels are normally quite shallow on this type of boat

Your comments are always welcome

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Generally, I believe that if bilge keels are fitted then they are on the turn of the bilge so that the don't stick out either below or to the side of the hull. Makes things easier when going alongside or dry docking.

Colin

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All

I think its horses for courses with bilge keels, this GRP fishing boat at Dungeness has had steel keels retro fitted and a steel keel band to allow her to work off the beach, so being fairly close together keeps her relatively level.

Regards Ray

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