Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: JayDee on January 11, 2007, 01:45:59 pm

Title: Vic Smeed
Post by: JayDee on January 11, 2007, 01:45:59 pm
Hello,
I have been making Models since I was about 10 years old, I am now almost 68 years old.
All that time I have seen Models designed and books written  by Vic Smeed.
When I was aged 10, he was writing articles for the Model Magazines, he still gets lots of mentions even today !.
Does anyone know how old he is ???.
JayDee.  :D
Title: Re: Vic Smeed
Post by: kayem on January 11, 2007, 01:50:30 pm
Vic is a famously private person, secretive about many things, including no doubt his age. However, he flew Spitfires in WW2 so I'd guess at 90, give or take a year.

I've probably said something along these lines before, but in my opinion, Vic Smeed is just about the greatest modeller who ever lived. Certainly very few can have contributed as much to the hobby as he has over his long career.
Title: Re: Vic Smeed
Post by: RickF on January 11, 2007, 03:46:36 pm
He is a God! His easy-to-build models - in terms of skill and pocket-money - kept me going through the 1950s. Whatever his age now, I hope he's enjoying good health and a happy retirement.

Rick
Title: Re: Vic Smeed
Post by: Colin H on January 11, 2007, 05:03:21 pm
My friend is addicted to charity shops and just before Christmas he bought me book for a laugh as he thought, here Colin he says the very lastest in model boat design. He even signed it that way inside the cover.

Imagine his surprise when I gave hearty thanks, I could have kissed him but he is bearded. The book a perfect copy of The World of Model Ships by Vic Smeed published 1979.

Much of what it contains is still relevent today and its a wonderful read.


Colin H
Title: Re: Vic Smeed
Post by: JayDee on January 11, 2007, 05:54:41 pm
Hello,
I did a big search on the Web about Vic Smeed, found a mass of stuff about all sorts of models and books he has written, but a compete blank about the man himself.
He is someone who, for me has always been there, plans, models, books, never thought, "What does he look like, where does he live, how old is he?".
As  kayem says - - he is a very private person, how very true !!.
JayDee.  :)
Title: Re: Vic Smeed
Post by: BobF on January 11, 2007, 06:42:09 pm
Hi Jay Dee,

You did better than me. I tried to trace some of his old plans through the net, and got no hits at all.

Bob
Title: Re: Vic Smeed
Post by: roycv on January 11, 2007, 07:28:10 pm
Hi JayDee, I have only met Vic Smeed once and it was a great pleasure and he is very much the gentleman you would expect him to be.

He is alive and as far as I know well and lives a some miles north of London.

I know his address but as has been previously said he is a private person and I must respect his privacy.

I can contact him through one of his friends who is one of our club members.  I have asked about the new yacht, so we shall see if there is a response!

regards to all Roy
Title: Re: Vic Smeed
Post by: roycv on January 11, 2007, 08:58:36 pm
Hi all, Vic is alive and well and flying model aircraft, this from a reported  conversation with him earlier this evening.
regards Roy