Vic Smeed’s Silver Mist

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Colin,

Here is another one up for sale a couple of years ago at Faversham, twin screws your gonna need a bigger boat ??

She has the same windows as Vic’s design 🙂

Regards Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Chris,

Use one of the engine noise devices that Richard reviewed in the last mag.

Or Huco couplings…..?

Ray,

At that asking price it must be in a really bad way.

I have a couple of 385s but that might be overkill for a small boat. The 280 size with 25mm props should be enough.

Colin

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

Colin

I can remember seeing the Silver Mist article in my brother’s Model Maker magazine.  I think it must have been late 50’s.  I would have been about 10. I think I liked it because the figures were the same as some toy soldiers I had.

I did think about building it a few years ago but I was probably building my bigger boats. The ones I struggle to lift now.

You have made me think about it again. So will be interested in following your build.

Perhaps once I have finished my RAF Fire Boat?

Tim

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Still waiting for plans from Canada! I have now ordered another set from Sarik. They don’t come with the building notes but I can cut up one set as templates to save me having to trace the various parts.

As they say in the Fairy (Fairey?) stories: ‘Someday my Prints will come….’

Colin

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

The plans for my next Vic Smeed build “Bustler” came very promptly from Sarik. Wish I would have ordered two sets instead of tracing and transferring, all done now though.

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All,

Colin I have to ask Canada ??

Yesterday my 30″ Silver Mist had her almost annual trip round the lake and harbour at Bluewater 🙂

Regards  Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Looking very nice indeed Ray, I will be referring to your build photos a lot.

There is a small outfit in Canada (I think maybe husband and wife) called Vintage Model Plans. Essentially they are a rip off of classic plans. Many of the plans they sell are no longer listed in the UK so it doesn’t really matter too much as it does at least keep them available. They do go one better than Sarik in that they often provide copies of the build article that originally accompanied the plans. The original Model Maker Plans Sevrvice and latterly Sarik have always missed a trick there.

Silver Mist is still listed by Sarik but I initially ordered from VMP as they offer all Vic’s build notes over several issues which I do not have. However I have now ordered from Sarik for a second set of drawings so my conscience is now clear!

Colin

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Colin,

I wouldn’t feel that sorry for Sarik as they have made a good few bob out of the plans range, paid for by the magazines to the contributors over many years , just a shame the free plans havn’t been been passed to them for the last 6 years , their collection of drawings is now rather stagnent with no new designs being added !!

Regards Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Both sets of plans arrived safely today!

Colin

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Have now read through 9 pages of Vic’s original article c/o Vintage Model Plans. Interesting reminder of 1958 building techniques, some of which are still relevant today but often there are more modern options.

Key takeaway is to increase internal access to the model as per Ray’s build to accommodate today’s fit out plus options for twin screws. Still mulling over paint scheme. On balance I still think a white hull is probably the best option but there are opportunities for picking up colour with the ‘coachline’ under the rubbing strake mentioned by Vic plus underwater and boot topping options.

Having looked at a number of examples of this model, some of them look a bit ‘bare’ and would benefit from more touches of colour but we will see how things go.

Colin

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Colin,

Yes I’m sure I’ve seen fullsize Silver yachts with a lantern light on the raised deck in front of the wheelhouse, that would fill that space nicely 🙂

She doesn’t need much ballast my 30″ version just has 2nr 7.2v buggy nicads in the bilge , Vic designed her with a very shallow hull as Bustler the tug .

Regards Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Hi Ray,

Yes, I think that a nice varnished lantern light on the foredeck would be an excellent idea and a logical addition.

Colin

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Well, I have made a symbolic start in cutting out the keel. To hedge my bets I am making a ‘sandwich’ with 6mm balsa in the middle with 1mm ply on each side. This will enable me to build in the slot for a 6mm tube if I subsequently decide that twin props are not practical, for example, not having sufficient room due to the shape of Vic’s hull which he had to estimate. Until I have planked the hull I cannot be certain where the twin shafts will be located.

The idea of the ‘doublers’ is taken from Dave Milbourn’s Fairey kit builds. If I don’t need it, the slot can simply be filled in which is easier than trying to cut it after the hull has been constructed.

I will commence planking along the keel to help keep it rigid and straight. The guwhales along the top of the bulkheads should take care of the upper hull alignment. The bulkheads will be initially cut from ply, the centres cut out and the resulting frames faced with 6mm balsa to provide a good chamfered glue surface to attach the planks.

Well, that’s the plan…

Colin

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

Colin

You have certainly got me thinking about a Silver Mist. I have even been checking my spare motors.

I did find an Action P92 Dual Esc that Dave Milbourn made for me, for an Schnellboot S100 conversion but in the end I used two brushless motors . Just as Dave told me I would.

So I will be interested to see how you get on with twin props.

Tim

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

What length and beam are you building to Colin? The hull shape has similarities to my Fisherman and when producing the drawings I was struggling a little to fit things in, but now that the hull is built at 27″ it has plenty of space and I don’t think I’ll have a problem. Ok, I’ve got a sail servo and drop-keel in addition but only one motor. Hopefully you find the same with yours and you have sufficient space for the twin-screw set up.

Great that you have made a start and am looking forward to seeing it taking shape.

Chris

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I am building as per the plan, 21×5.5 inches, approx 1:36 scale. Vic had to estimate the hull shape so I need to plank it before deciding on a twin or single prop setup as on the plan.

I am fairly confident that the hull will accommodate twin screws and motors but need to get the bulkheads on to confirm this. 25mm props will provide more than sufficient thrust. It should be OK.

Colin

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Somewhat smaller than the Fisherman with its portly 8″ beam but you should still have plenty of space given that smaller craft are often fitted with twin motors. As you say 25mm props will provide plenty of thrust for that type of hull.

If it hadn’t been for the Faireys that type of boat and wooden river and broads cruisers would have been my choice for builds.

Chris

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