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Titles to Look Out For:
[in alphabetical order]
1956 (and later editions) Boat Modelling by Vic Smeed
1972. Model Boat Propellers
1959 (and later editions) Power Model Boats by Vic Smeed
1990. Radio Control Scale Boats by John Cundell

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• Boat Modelling [top]
  Written by Vic Smeed
  First published in January 1956 in Great Britain
  Reprinted in June 1956 in Great Britain
  Reprinted in September 1957 in Great Britain by Model & Allied Publications, 92pp, paperback

Contents: In this September 1957 reprint of the January 1956 original, the author Vic Smeed sets out to cover the whole subject of model boating in as comprehensive a manner as possible in 15 chapters:

1) A Look at the Subject (power craft: rubber (band), clockwork, electric motors, petrol engines, glowplug engines, diesel engines, steam plants, Jetex motors, jet motors; sport models, semi-scale, scale models, steering models, airscrew-driven hydroplanes, hydroplanes, special models, radio-controlled; Sailing Craft: Bermuda rig racing yachts ("A" Class, 12 metre, 10 Raters, 6 metre, Marblehead, Restricted (the three internationally recognised ones were the "A" Class, six metre and Marblehead); competitions, organising bodies)
2) Tools and Materials (tenon saw, Junior hacksaw, fretsaw, small plane, 0.5 in chisel, light hammer, screwdrivers, hand-drill, pliers (taper nose preferably), one or two small G-cramps, try-square, sharp knife or singe-edged razor blades)
3) Hard Chine Hulls
4) Round Bilge Hulls (bread and butter timber system, rib and plank)
5) Other Types of Construction ("Two-shelf" Chine Hulls, Thick-bottom Hulls, Diagonalled Bilge Hulls, Gum-Strip Hulls, Papier Mache Hulls, Strawboard Hulls, Clincher Built Hulls, Fabric Hulls, Metal Hulls, Glass Fibre Hulls)
6) Superstructures
7) Fittings
8) Yacht Fittings
9) Finishing
10) Internal Combustion Engines (sideport, crankshaft & disc induction, petrol engines, glowplug)
11) Steam Engines (oscillating engines, slide valve, boilers)
12) Electric Motors
13) Hydroplanes and Special Models (rubber-driven, clockwork, Jetex, Scale Sailing Models, Submarines)
14) Operation
15) Radio Control (Radio, actuators, installation, yachts,
Appendices include information about M.Y.A Rating Classes, M.M. Class Rating Rules, M.Y.A Affiliated Clubs, Circular Course Racing, M.P.B.A Affiliated Clubs, British i/c engines, British Electric Motors, Glossary

Note: Appendix 6 cross-references British engines against displacement in cc, cu. in.; cylinder bore stroke; weight (oz); working r.p.m range; mounting; induction; flywheel (weight in oz, diameter and thickness); propeller (diameter and pitch) and shaft size. Engines covered are:
Allbon Bambi
Allbon Dart
Allbon Merlin
Allbon Sabre
Allbon Spitfire
Allen Mercury 25
Allen Mercury 35
Amco .87
Amco 3.5 BB
Amco 3.5 PB
D. C. 350
E. D. Baby
E. D. Bee
E. D. Comp Special
E. D. Hornet
E. D. Hunter
E. D. Mark III
E. D. Racer
Elfin .5
Elfin 1.49
Elfin 1.49BB
Elfin 1.8BB
Elfin 1.8PB
Elfin 2.49
ETA 19 (glow)
ETA 29 (glow)
Frog 50
Frog 150
Frog 180
Frog 250
Frog 500 (glow)
Mills 1.3
Mills 2.4
Mills P75
Miles Special
Oliver Tiger
Oliver Tiger-Cub
Reeves Goblin

Note: Appendix 7 cross-references British electric motors against type, weight & size, operating volts, shaft & bearings, brushes, stall test (current torque, AMPs, ounces. in.) free running (current amps, r.p.m), typical performance figures and remarks on the engine). Engines covered are:
5U/2705 Sallis
Bassett-Lowke 1461
Basset-Lowke Marine (1466)
Basset-Lowke Supermarine
Ever Ready TG18, TG18B and TG18E
Frog Revmaster
Frog Tornado
Frog Whirlwind
Gov. Surplus C.M. 3
Gov. Surplus 5U/4798 Sallis
Meccano E020
Mersey Marine Navigator
Mighty Midget
Taplin
Taycol Comet
Taycol Star
Taycol Geared Comet
Taycol Marine
Taycol Twin-Geared Comet
Taycol Torpedo

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• Power Model Boats [top]
  Written by Vic Smeed
  First published in June 1959 in Great Britain
  Reprinted November 1962
  Reprinted April 1965
  Reprinted November 1966
  Reprinted September 1969
  Reprinted in a revised edition April 1971 by Model & Allied Publications

Contents: The book is written for the benefit of the "average" modeller and does not pretend to advise the expert. It should provide a welcome source of guidance and inspiration to the beginner, the dabbler and the not-so-expert. It is written entirely from practical experience, with a certainty that success will follow the efforts of anyone who follows the procedure described employing care, patience and common sense. The book provides information on hull construction, materials in common use, suitable tools, different types of motor and their best employment, simple approach to radio control, boat fittings, couplings, shafts and propellers, superstructures, painting and finishing, unorthodox models including submarines; and a valuable selection of "do's" and "don'ts".
The author of the book, Vic Smeed was the Editor of magazine.

Chapters:
1. This and That
General classes of models, types of power, advantages of club membership, competition work, speeds

2. Design
General Notes on Rule-of-Thumb Design, selection of prototype, calculation of displacement, setting out a lines drawing, hull sizes and power, tables of offsets

3. Wherewithal
Choice of materials, ply, timbers, glues, seasoning, metal parts, types of tools required for various types of model

4. Hard Chine Hulls
Basic constructional techniques, keels and shaft clearance, curved members. Bulkhead construction, jigging, skinning, internal appointments, planking

5. Bread-and-butter hulls
Laminating on the waterlines or buttock lines, How to set out the planks, Gluing up, Holding while carving, Hollowing, Plank Layout from Body Plan

6. Planked Construction
Basic framework , rib and plank building, drawing out of bulkheads, jigging, laying out of planks, fitting of planks, block sections, deck beams, diagonal planking, clinker building, true and imitation

7. Glassfibre
Introduction, methods of moulding, materials used, glass armouring, plaster and glass moulds, two part moulds. fittings and finishing

8. Metal and Paper Hulls
All Steel hulls, use of former-Armatures gentina, single sheet building-gumstrip, paper hulls, moulds, armatures

9. Electric Motors:
Introduction, power output, stall torque, propellers, effect of length/beam ratio, gear boxes, twin motors; propeller securing, current consumption, accumulators, battery boxes, high speed electrics

10. Internal Combustion
Types of I.C. engine, induction methods, diesels, petrol engines, glowplug engines, throttle control, four stroke motors, flywheels, starting procedure, anti-vibration measures: engine mounting, fuel tanks, exhaust collectors, silencers, water cooling jackets, water pickup

11. Other Motive Power
Rubber power, simple rubber models, clockwork motors, gramophone mechanisms, steam units, oscillators, slide valves, types of boiler, lamps, jet motors

12. Shafts, Couplings and Propellers
Shaft sizes, shaft tube fittings, stuffing boxes, A Frames, connected couplings, interfering Couplings, propeller estimation and blank layout

13. Superstructure and fittings
Decks and deck camber, main superstructure, windows and doors, superstructure tops, streamline parts, securing hatches, masting, staffs, funnels, anchors, bollards, fairleads, vents and other detail fitting

14. Painting and finishing
Tools and Materials, varnishing, deck marking, undercoating and rubbing down, marking the waterline, masking, colour scheme, cellulose finishes

15. Hydroplanes
M.P.B.A. Classes, relative size, types of design, operational notes, line strength and attachment, flash steam

16. Unorthodox models
Airscrew driven hydroplanes, layout and operation, hydrofoils, paddle steamers and submarines

17. Radio Control
Basic Principle, explanation of various types of equipment, methods of installation

18. 50 Do's and Don'ts for the Beginner
Fifty of the points most likely to be overlooked by beginners, but also of value to those with some experience

• Radio Control Scale Boats [top]
  Written by John Cundell
  Published in 1990 in Great Britain by Argus Books in paperback, 63pp, ISBN 1854860216. Original UK retail price: £4.95 net

Contents: For every five model boats constructed, four are of scale subjects. In this book, John Cundell, editor of Model Boats magazine, describes how to choose a model type, what scale to build in, where to obtain plans, kit availability, hull construction methods, materials and adhesives, propulsion, radio control and a variety of other useful information and advice. This is the book to guide the beginner through the boatyard maze! It is an excellent introductory book.

Features black & white illustrations, diagrams and photos, e.g:
Photo of a grp hulled kit model of a Clyde Puffer from Calder Craft
Photo of the Thyssen II Pusher Tug model kit from Graupner
Photo of traditional British Tug model kit, the Joffre from Calder Craft
Photo of a model of a traditional French fishing boat, the Boulogne Etaples from Billing
Photo of a model of modern coaster Nordkap from manufacturers Billing
Photo of a model of the Calder Craft tug Imara with grp hull and many white metal fittings. In 1990, this was the largest model boat kit on the market
Photo of the Riverman tug model kit from Calder Craft (designed to operate on rivers with low bridges)
Photo of the Flower Class corvette model kit from Matchbox, a large plastic kit that can be motorised and R/C fitted
Photo of the well known Stuart Turner Double Ten slide valve steam engine
Photo of the four-stroke engine and gearbox with electric starter motor by German manufacturer Graupner
Photo of a typical 540-type economy electric motor fitted to a 3.3:1 reduction gearbox and fitted shaft which guarantees perfect alignment. The final drive utilises a Huco coupling with the propeller mounted on a transom bracket

Chapters:
Introduction
1. So you want to build an R/C scale model boat?
-Ambition;Size of model; Getting in touch (with your local club); Books; Power Source; Radio Installation
2. Types of Model. Which one should you choose to build? Do you want to build a ship that carries something or a ship that does something? You can split both these main headings (ships that carry vs ships that do) into ships that are merchant and ships which are naval. Naval ships are popular subjects and the bigger you build the better with these; whilst tug boats are popular because they provide detailed but strong models at easily transportable sizes.
-e.g. passenger liners, cargo liners, tramp steamers, colliers, tankers, container ships, ferries, pleasure craft, fishing vessels, river craft, oil support ships, rotor ships, motor barges, sailing ships, sailing barges, warships, battleships, aircraft carriers and so on.
3. Kit Models
4. Scratch Models
5. Hull Construction Methods
6. Types of Power
7. Radio Control
8. Wherewithal
Appendix: Manufacturer's and suppliers' addresses