Topic: Vic Smeed - Loss of another legend (Read 22309 times)

Circlip · « **on:** January 05, 2011, 07:43:20 pm »

Have only just realised that no one has mentioned the sad loss of Vic Smeed in the last couple of days. Most of us old flatulents will have constructed something of Vics be it land, sea or air based and at least one of his designs is being revamped on here at the moment.

Thanks Vic for many hours enjoyment, design Maestro extrodinare.

Regards Ian.

Klunk · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2011, 07:48:46 pm »

a sad loss. My first plan builds were from his plans

John W E · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2011, 07:54:16 pm »

It was with great sadness that I read this posting - I too have built many a model from Vic's plans - a loss of a real true legend.

john

hollowhornbear · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2011, 07:59:34 pm »

The man was a legend, and what a legacy he has left for us all, car, boat and aircraft modellers alike.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2011, 08:05:11 pm »

I wasn't aware of Vic's passing until I read this post.

He sent me a very nice Email about the Model Boats Commemorative Special I edited last year and was obviously still very much on the ball. despite being well into his 90s.

Like others, my first models were built to his plans and although he was an avid aeromodeller he can justly be regarded as the Father of Model Boating.

Vic was truly one of the all time greats and a WW2 fighter pilot to boot. Some people are truly irreplaceable and Vic was without any doubt one of them.

Colin

knoby · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2011, 08:06:23 pm »

Vic Smeeds tug Bustler was the first model I ever built aged 11. I doubt anyone has been responsible for starting more modelers on their modeling careers than him. A true gentleman who always took time to talk to people & encourage them, as well as a talented designer. A sad day for all model enthusiasts & a great loss to the model world.
Deepest condolences to his family

With respect, Glenn

gwa84 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2011, 08:16:04 pm »

sad to read this having recently discovering his work and enjoying what he has given to the modelling community a sad loss indeed

tobyker · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2011, 10:03:56 pm »

How sad. A great man.

nhp651 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2011, 10:09:28 pm »

Very sad indeed......i too statred building to plan at the age of 10, 50 years ago this summer building Vic's Bustler......thought it was the bees knees.
may god bless him and his family, and hope he has great journies through the next life.
his genious with all things modelling is a true tribute to a marvelous man.

Lord Bungle · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2011, 10:14:20 pm »

Its sad to hear of his passing and as you say a legend, and what a legacy to leave, all those boats out there built and enjoyed from his plans, thats a true memorial

grasshopper · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2011, 10:54:07 pm »

Definitely agree with 'loss of a legend' - he was one of my heroes too.

john s 2 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2011, 10:57:38 pm »

A modelling legend who we all know. My sympathy and thoughts are with his family.A sad loss John.

firedup · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2011, 11:12:28 pm »

I discovered so much by "making" his models in my head. My regards to his family.

roycv · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2011, 11:26:36 pm »

Hi all, I remember talking to Vic about 15 months ago at our annual exhibition where he was one of our invited guest judges and he told us a few stories.
More people had built from his model aircraft plans than anyone else in the world. One of his plans had been scaled up to full size and the builder piloted it around very successfully. That is until someone asked for the airworthyness certificate, which he did not have, and the aircraft was impounded!

He did get the aircraft back but only after the engine was taken out!

He was very much the gentleman you would have expected him to be. I believe he was 91 or just possibly 92. He did confirm to us that he was a spitfire pilot from 1943.
He also said that he sailed his first model boat as a lad in 1929.

I agree he was a great figure in the model boat world and we mourn his passing.

regards to all Roy

Stavros · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2011, 12:21:58 am »

What tragic loss to model boating World wide Rip

Stavros

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2011, 07:53:37 am »

Truly a legend in the world of model boats.

Was his 'story' ever published anywhere?

Bowwave · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:23:33 am »

This for me is very sad . It was Vic that encouraged me way back in 1969 to put pen to paper and I collaborated with the great man on developing a Fast Electric design back in the early 1970s . All of my boats from the late 1950s through to the heady days of the 1970s where based on a Vic Smeed design . He was not just an Iconic figure in the modelling world but a true gentleman . Yes he will be sadly missed , a model maker to the very end but he will never be forgotten .
Bowwave

tigertiger · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2011, 12:37:29 pm »

A great loss to model boating, but I am certain his legacy of plans will go on being used for many more years to come.

I would dearly love to see someone put all his plans together in one place, accessible to others, as a tribute to Vic Smeed the man, his design skills, and his contribution to modeling.

Guy Bagley · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2011, 03:51:13 pm »

only just seen this, a true great, he is gone but not fogotten,

let hope his designs and models grace many a water/ boating lake for many years to come...

a sad loss to the modelling world

Peter Fitness · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:33:52 pm »

Most people here probably associate the name, Vic Smeed, with model boats, but I first heard of him when I became interested in model aircraft in the early 1950s. My very first scratch built model was a Vic Smeed designed "Tomboy" free flight aircraft, which I built in 1954, and powered with an ED 1.49 diesel. I used to fly it in a cow paddock, where it terrorised all the resident cattle. Fortunately, the cattle were owned by my uncle, with whom I was living at the time.

I was quite surprised, when I Googled "Vic Smeed", to find that most of the Google entries with his name concern that particular design. Many "Tomboys" are still flying at club fields all around the world. Some were enlarged and others converted to radio control. I still have that original plan, even after more than 50 years.

It wasn't until some years after building my "Tomboy" that I became aware of Vic's passion for model boat design. There must be literally thousands of examples of his designs sailing on ponds and lakes wherever model boats gather.

He was an icon in his field and will be sorely missed.

Peter.

Wetwater · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:10:29 pm »

Never met Vic in person but had a nice, LONG, hand written letter from him a few years ago, answering some questions
about an old Taplin engine and cabin cruiser I had aquiired. He went into a lot of detail which helped a lot.

Like many others I cut my teeth on Vic's designs. A very nice gent who will be sadly missed. R.I.P

The long Build · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2011, 01:55:49 pm »

As others it was Vic's Fault I got into this Hobby and built my first Model "Bobby" which although was developed and built by a Lou Jefferys, was from an original Design my Mr Smeed..

R.I.P

Larry

mike_victoriabc · « **Reply #22 on:** January 07, 2011, 03:11:03 pm »

I still have old Model Maker magazines of my father's from the 60's - many articles by Vic Smeed! A great contributor and supporter of the model boating fraternity. My condolences to the family.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #23 on:** January 09, 2011, 12:09:31 pm »

A sad passing of a legend indeed.

In honour of the recently deceased Vic Smeed I am sure that many of us would like to pay tribute to the great contribution to modelling that he made.

With this in Mind we would like to invite any members who have photos of any models from Vic Smeed plans that they have (aero or marine), or any personal anecdotes you may have about the man and his designs......

Post your memories and Photos here: http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=28218.0

john44 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 09, 2011, 09:18:10 pm »

Vic Smeed was indeed a legend in the modeling world. I to first started making models from a Vic Smeed model making annual
( which I still have ) in 1963. It cast my dad 2 shillings. It covers every aspect of modeling available then. I have not seen an equivalent
published by anyone up to this day.

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Author Topic: Vic Smeed - Loss of another legend (Read 22309 times)

hollowhornbear

knoby

gwa84

nhp651

Lord Bungle

firedup

Stavros

Bowwave

The long Build

john44