Vic Smeed's Model Boat Designs | Model Boats Magazine

Victor Ernest Smeed

(b 01/10/1923 – d 04/01/2011)

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Vic Smeed with 'Genie'

As a six year old young boy Vic Smeed started building model boats, this interest would stay with him throughout his life. He started his career in the model building industry by opening a small modelling business before his contributions to the modelling magazines commenced.

His first model boat design, a cabin cruiser Lorelei, appeared in Model Maker (MM) in Jan 1953. This was followed by a two part series on airscrew driven hydroplanes, part one appeared in December 1953 with Skimmer. The concluding item appeared the following month featuring Scudder and Skater. These airscrew designs were probably influenced by his time spent in WW2 as an RAF fighter pilot. Model Aircraft, cars and railways were also in his remit, but boats were always his No 1 modelling subject.

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In 1953, he was appointed assistant editor of MM, then editor in 1959 overseeing changes to the magazine which finally ended up with the title Model Boats.

After his resignation in 1977, he was still heavily involved with the model industry as he became a freelance writer and builder. Organising the Model Engineer exhibition and appearing on TV programmes were also included in his busy schedule.

Many books were written by Vic on various model making subjects. His well known model boat books, Power Model Boats, Boat Modelling and Model Ships are still a good reference source today, on the understanding that the model builder adopts modern materials, equipment, procedures and safety standards. These books can still be bought on eBay and are sometimes found in second hand book shops.

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The second part of this article is a list of plans. Judging by the vast amount and numerous designs, there must be something for every model boat builder to choose from. Many of these designs by Vic are tried and tested over the years and I have yet to hear of any negative comments on the finished boat model. What a good test for the durability of his designs, as written in the Paddle Steamer section of the 1966 book Power Model Boats, a balsa built 24” x 3” Royal Falcon Paddler crossed Brotherswater in the Lake district in 55mins.

If you are aware of any omissions to this plans list or have any photographs of models built to Vic’s designs please post in the website forum. Photographs must of course be taken by yourself to avoid any copyright infringement. If the photographed model is not your property, please ask the models owner for permission to post on a public site.

I hope you find the list useful

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Tony Hadley

Model Yachts
Model Design	Number	Type	Description	Currently Available
Water Baby ‘A’	MM 354	Yacht	25” MM class round bilge, for vertical bread-and-butter or glass fibre construction. All rigging and simplified Vane Gear.	Y
Water Baby ‘B’	MM 355	Yacht	As Water Baby A but for Rib and Plank construction.	Y
Sea Urchin	MM 361	Yacht	Hard chine boat to 25” MM class. Complete details including vane etc; balsa and ply construction.	N
Sea Mew	MM 533	Yacht	36” racing catamaran. Twin round bilge hulls. Mainly ply construction. 18” beam.	Y
Wind Rider	BBC TV	Yacht	Simple Yacht to accompany Model World BBC series 1975	N
Hobnoblin		Yacht 36R	36” Restricted class yacht. Issued as a free plan to accompany build series.	N
Spook	MM 1297	Yacht R10R	A relatively easy 10 rater for vane or radio. Hull and bodylines at half size. Sail plan at 1:10	Y
Genie	MM 1175	Yacht RM	Very simple double chine Marblehead with beginners in mind. Displacement 15.5 lbs.	Y
Harem	RM 258	Yacht RM	A hard chine RM featuring a cabin/cockpit. Full sized plan and elevation. Suggested construction.	N
Marcie	MM 1304	Yacht RM	Lightweight RM for inland or light weather waters.	Y
Afrit	MM 1200	Yacht RA	Lightweight design. Suitable for vane or radio.	Y
Gosling	MM 1164	Yacht R36R	Very simple and inexpensive model which gives excellent performance. Hard chine form.	Y
Duckling	MM 1344	Yacht R36R	Very simple to build based on a vac formed hull. Superbly detailed plan to satisfy the novice.	Y
Krispie	MM 1404	Yacht R36R	Radio and vane steering. Unorthodox double diagonal planking/timber planked/grp.	Y
Starlet	MM 1048	Yacht	34” x 9.5” simple all ply yacht. Semi-scale cockpit and cabin.	Y
Dabchick	MM 1024	Yacht	24” x 6” ultra simple yacht. Balsa and ply fin or all ply. Inexpensive to build.	Y
Panache	MM 1299	Yacht	30” semi-scale ocean racer for wood construction.	Y
Witchwind	RM 231	Yacht	Neat 30” x 6” yacht. Simple double chine construction in balsa (or ply).	Y
Star C	MM 1128	Yacht	A 42” “one design” r/c yacht. Designed for easy and inexpensive completion.	Y
Wing Ray	MM 1311	Yacht	A fascinating wing sail r/c yacht. Simple construction from balsa and ply.	N
Demon	V 101	Yacht RM	Simple but nice looking Marblehead yacht for vane or radio. Suitable for complete beginners.	Y
Snow Goose	V 106	Yacht R36R	Attractive and simple 36” restricted yacht for vane or radio. Suitable for beginners. Ply construction.	Y
Spray	V 113	Scale Yacht	45” loa (30” hull) sailing model of Joshua Slocum’s round the world yacht.	Y
Star Baby	MAR 3295	Yacht	71.2cm x 22cm smaller version of Starlet. Ply construction.	Y (Traplet)
Model Power Boats
Model Design	Number	Type	Description	Currently Available
Water Bug	MM 357		13” all balsa design on the two shelf chine system Electric power.	Y
Mistral	MM 348	Day Cruiser	All balsa 18”, near scale with forward cabin and open well.	Y
Bustler	MM 363	Tug	18” x 6”all balsa harbour tug. Bread-and-butter construction. Hull available.	Y
Royal Falcon	MM 381	Paddle Steamer	24” near scale model of a Thames paddle steamer. Belt driven paddles.	Y
Painted Lady	MM 442	Coaster	36” Raised quarterdeck coaster. Gummed paper over simple balsa frame	N
SS Hobo	MM 465	Tramp	24” simplified typical tramp steamer. Balsa or gummed paper.	N
STS Dilysia	MM 470	Tanker	37” near-scale, bread-and-butter bow and stern with planked midships section.	N
Silver Mist	MM 524	Motor Launch	21” all balsa, planked round bilge hull.	Y
Veleta	MM 575	Motor Yacht	24” simple all balsa hull, sheet sides and laminated bottom.	Y
Moonmist	MM 610		21” all balsa hull. Easy build for beginners..	Y
Sprat	MM 624	Sub	15” ultra simple submarine. Automatic diving.	Y
Lorelei	MM 267	Cabin Cruiser	34” very simple two shelf hard chine cabin cruiser.	Y
Lorette	MM 370	Cruiser	34” semi-scale cruiser. Conventional construction, slightly simplified lines for easy building.	Y
Runabout	MM 480	Speed Boat.	18” ply construction open cockpit speed boat.	N
Tuna	MM 505	Patrol Boat	34” freelance patrol boat. Conventional chine or commercial f/g hull.	Y
Lorosa	MM 506	Cabin Cruiser	24” near-scale cabin cruiser of simple construction.	Y
Lorraine	MM 512	Motor Yacht	Elegant 54” motor yacht, Plan shows both chine and bilge hull.	Y
Kingfisher	MM 516	Cabin Cruiser	22” all balsa construction. Especially for beginners.	N
Lorena	MM 526	Motor Yacht	42” motor yacht with hard chine or round bilge hull.	N
Scudabout	MM 535	Cabin Cruiser	16.5” really nippy miniature cabin cruiser.	N
Pirana	MM 620	Express Cruiser	28” scale appearance express cruiser. 2 hulls on plan, one simple and one advanced.	Y
Querida	MM 640	Cabin Cruiser	40” fast cabin cruiser with simple but handsome lines. One piece superstructure.	N
Vivacity	MM 652	Cabin Cruiser	Large 54” x 17” cabin cruiser of simple construction.	Y
Spurtster	MM 695	Hydrojet	27” unusual model designed around Taplin-Baker hydrojet.	Y
Slalome	MM 718	Missile Launch	30” freelance missile launch. Novel construction and excellent performance.	Y
Moonglow	MM 800		35” model power boat of the simplest possible form. Only 8 pieces make the hull.	Y
Vosper Royal Barge	MM 356	Royal Barge	Magnificent 30” (0.75” to 1ft) model of prototype. Completely authentic. All ply construction.	Y
Thorney Croft MTB	MM 337	MTB	36.75” (1:24 scale) authentic scale model. Extremely detailed.	Y
Liverpool Type Lifeboat	MM 374	Life Boat	Accurate 26” (0.75” to 1ft) lifeboat model. Balsa or Obeche construction.	Y
Liverpool Type Lifeboat	MM 1448	Life Boat	As MM 364 but 1” to 1ft scale. Styrene hull available.	Y
Alter Ego	MM 377	Hydro plane	Simple ply/balsa scale model of world record 3 point hydroplane.	Y
Pathfinder	MM 393	Pilot Tender	44.675” (0.25” to 1ft) Trinity House pilot tender. Simple construction on 2 sheets. Suitable for steam.	Y
Range Safety Launch	MM 412	RAF Launch	43” (1” to 1ft) authentic model of a Thorneycroft RAF launch. Ply construction.	Y
MV Arran	MM 415	Clyde Ferry	31” (4mm to 1ft) model of a Clyde ferry. Balsa/ply construction. OO/HO scale.	N
RNLB Plymouth	MM 418	Life Boat	39” (0.75” to 1ft) accurate Barnett-Stromness lifeboat. Bread-and-butter for experienced builders.	Y
MV Pateke	MM 424	Cargo Vessel	50” (0.25” scale) shelter deck cargo vessel for experienced builders. Lines and superstructure only.	N
MV Frank Rayner	MM 432	Canal Vessel	31” unusual model of canal motor vessel. Dwg. Includes Trent barge for towing.	N
RMS Empress of Britain	MM 445	Liner	38.5” (1/200^th scale) bread-and-butter hull. Canadian Pacific Liner.	N
Magga Dan	MM 456	Polar Vessel	30.5” (0.125” to 1ft) long model of famous Polar vessel. Large amount of detail. Bread-and-butter.	N
Mis’deeds	MM 483	Thames Cruiser	12.5” (0.5” scale) model of a Thames hire cruiser. Clinker or flush planking. 8 page booklet inc. full sized dwg’s and interior details.	Y
HMS Cossack	MM 500	Warship	38” (1/10scale) Tribal class destroyer. Simple balsa/ply construction.	Y
Vosper RTTL	MM 530	RAF Launch	34” (1:24 scale) RAF high speed launch. Ply construction.	Y
Speranza	MM 550	Motor Yacht	38.5 x 12.5” fast motor yacht. Diagonal plank or ply construction.	Y
Vosper PL4	MM 560	Launch	46” scale personnel launch of sleek appearance. Clean superstructure and flared hull.	Y
Cervia	MM 567	Thames Tug	28” x 6.75” (1: 48 scale) Thames tug. Bread-and-butter construction. Not for beginners. Hull available.	Y
Fairmile Type ‘C’ML	MM 585	Motor Launch	Long-55”-but narrow-8.5” WW2 motor launch. (1:24 scale). Simplified hull but authentic lines.	Y
Bardic Ferry	MM 636	Vehicle Ferry	42.25” (.125” scale). Bread-and-butter hull, composite top. Lots of detail work.	Y
Pilot II	MM 645	Pilot Launch	24” pilot launch. Balsa planked, round bilge.	Y
E Boat	MM 667	German MTB	35” (1:32 scale) German S-boat. Round bilge hull, simple construction.	Y
Fairey Huntsman	MM 680	Fast Cruiser	42” handsome fast cruiser. Ply construction.	Y
Sea Rider	BBC TV	Warship	Simple Leander class frigate to accompany Model World BBC series 1975	N
Skipper	MM 308	A/S Hydro plane	Ultra simple all balsa skimming dish airscrew driven hydroplane.	Y
Skimmer	MM 310	A/S Hydro plane	Twin pontoon of simplest possible construction. Airscrew driven hydroplane.	Y
Skidder	MM 309	A/S Hydro plane	Ply and balsa extremely fast airscrew driven competition hydroplane	N
Skater	MM 312	A/S Hydro plane	Ply and balsa three float airscrew driven hydroplane of advanced design. Extremely fast.	Y
Scudder	MM 311	A/S Hydro plane	Large twin pontoon model with central fuselage and pusher airscrew.	Y
Harlech Castle	MM 1183	Warship	32” (1/96 scale) Corvette based on the Castle class but with modified superstructure. Balsa/Ply.	Y
Vedette	MM 1220	Warship	30” (1/100 scale) Vickers 1100 ton mini-warship. Easy to build but care is needed with weight.	N
QE 2	MM 1020	Pass. Ship	58” x 6.5” (1/200 scale) Cunard liner. Accurate scale dwg as launched in 1969.	N
Canal Narrow Boat	MM 1170	Narrow Boat	35” x 3.5” (1: 24 scale) Typical Grand Union or similar Narrow boat pair. No model construction.	N
St Louis Belle	MM 826	Paddle Steamer	33” x 6.5” (1:64 scale) Mississippi stern-wheeler. For experienced builders. GRP hull available.	Y
Guardsman	MM 1330	Customs Launch	22.5” x 6” typical HM Customs launch of the1920’s. Styrene hull available	Y
Yarra	MM 1346	Tug	22” x 6.25” (1:48 scale) Australian Tug. Plan includes build details.	Y
Lochinvar	MM 1410	Clyde Puffer	17” x 4.5” (1:48 scale) easily constructed. Styrene Hull available.	Y
River Queen	V102	Steam Launch	35” x 10.5” (1/8 scale) clinker built based on Forester’s African Queen. G/F hull available.	Y
Melinda	V 111	River Launch	35” x 6.5” carvel hull based on an early petrol launch c1906	Y
Cormorant	V 112	Trawler	Detailed structure drawings for a 2 man trawler. Vac formed hull available.	Y
Tiddler	V 104	TID Tug	20” x 5.25” double-chine beginners model. Balsa, ply or card construction.	Y
Moonwind	V 105	Sport Model	27” x 9.5” ultra simple beginners model. Only 8 pieces make the hull.	Y
American Tug	V 109	Tug	25.5” x 6” (¼ scale). Based on Erie Railroad’s Akron. Chunky superstructure and heavy hull belting.	Y
Steam Trawler	V 110	Trawler	37.5” x 6.25” 1930 steam trawler. Lots of detail for the enthusiast. Suitable for steam.	Y
Jeanie Deans	C 54	Paddle Steamer	32” x 3.75” (1/96 scale). Lines and details from a yard original drawing.	Y
Columba	C 56	Paddle Steamer	39” x 3.375” (1/96 scale). Lines and visible detail only.	Y
TSMV Princess of Vancouver	C 53	Sea Ferry	52” x 8” (1/96 scale). Hull plan and profile, body plan visible detail	Y
Turmoil	C 58	Salvage Tug	38” x 7.25” (1/64 scale). Plan and sheer views, body plan etc.	Y
MV Cumbrae	C 52	Pilot Boat	34” x 6.875” (1/32 scale). Lines and visible detail only.	Y
Fairmile type D	C 62	MTB	41.25” x 8”. Drawing shows model construction etc.	Y
HMS Amethyst	C 59	Warship	37.25” x 4.675” (1/96 scale). Plan, profile, body plan, general detail.	Y
Waverley	C 55	Paddle Steamer	31” x 3.75” (1/96 scale). Lines and external details only.	Y
Caledonia	C 57	Paddle Steamer	43” x 5.675” (1/64 scale). Lines and external detail.	Y
Clyde Puffer	C 51	Steam Puffer	17.5” x 4.5” (1/48 scale). Lines and visible detail, no structure. Vac formed hull available.	Y
HMS Grey Goose	C 61	Warship	36” x 7.25”. Plans showing model structure etc.	Y
Hunt Class Destroyer	C 60	Warship	35” x 4” (1/96 scale). Plan, profile, visible detail.	Y
SS Unity	MM 1302	Cargo Vessel	27” loa semi scale elementary design. Balsa/ ply construction	N
Dimarcha	MM 836	Cabin Cruiser	30” x 8.25” (1:24 scale) Vosper deep sea motor yacht.	Y
Moccasin	MM 1062	Fast Electric	21” x 8.5” lightweight balsa with ply spray strips.	Y
Sniper	MM 1224	Fast Electric	22” x 9”successful design developed by Dave Wooley.	Y
Cachalot	MM 1023	R/C Comp.	30” x 10” for multi-racing or r/c steering.	Y
Remora	MM 812	R/C Comp.	30” x 10.75” conventional construction speed steering boat.	Y
Hammerh’d	MM 1015	Offshore	36” x 15” unusual-looking with wide flared bow and moderate V hull. Hammerhead	Y
Snapper	MM 1000	R/C Comp.	25” x 10” semi-scale racer. Simple ply construction.	Y
Suzie Q	MM 819	Offshore	27” x 9” offshore power boat racer.	Y
Musketeer	MM 1111	R/C Comp.	28” x 9” multi-race or fast steering model. Ply construction.	Y

Vic Smeed’s Model Boat Designs

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