H.M. Cutter Alert 1777 Kit 1:64
History of the Alert
The Alert, built by Henry Ladd in Dover and launched on 24 June 1777, was the largest cutter class in the Royal Navy. Originally, the Alert had ten four-pounder carriage guns and six to twelve half-pounder pivot guns. She was one of fifteen cutters built for the Royal Navy between 1777 and 1778. Smaller cutters were often purchased or built by private shipyards and then acquired by the Navy, but the Alert was purpose-built for this purpose from the keel up.
In February 1778, the Alert was at anchor in Plymouth for an overhaul. During this time, some alterations were made to the hull and the ten four-pounder carriage guns were replaced by twelve six-pounder guns, which increased the weight of the broadside by 30%. The guns were replaced because six-pounder balls were more readily available and, of course, more effective.
Due to the improved armament, the crew of the Alert was increased from sixty to eighty men and put back into service under a new commander, Lieutenant William George Fairfax. In May 1778, Fairfax was promoted to commander and the Alert was reclassified as a sloop to meet the requirements of the Admiralty. (Although she always remained rigged as a cutter)
On 17 June 1778, the Alert, together with the frigate Arethusa, sighted and intercepted the French frigate Belle Poule and the armed tender Coureur. The latter was overtaken by the Alert and surrendered. On 8 July of the same year, the Alert was surprised and captured by the French frigate Junon during an independent mission in search of the enemy fleet. On 15 December 1779, the Alert was reported lost without a trace.
Kit details
The model of the Alert is depicted as being refitted with twelve six-pounder guns and a full set of twelve half-pounder swivel guns, giving a total armament of twenty-four guns.
The model kit has been designed to be as accurate as possible for a kit, in terms of both scale and detail. To this end, all the hull and deck fittings have been custom-made and no off-the-shelf fittings have been used. For a kit with so much detail, it is easy to build, yet basic woodworking skills (and patience) are required.
The Alert kit includes:
- double planking in limewood and second planking in pearwood slats
- laser-cut materials in pearwood, MDF, 0.8 mm plywood for the lower decks and transparent acrylic for the stand
- 3 plates of brass photoetched parts
- limewood rods for masts and yards
- pearwood gratings
- 7 different rigging ropes in black and natural colours
- 12 black 6-pounder cast-resin cannons and 12 black half-pounder swivel-cannon cast-resin cannons
- 56-page full-colour construction manual with German translation
- acrylic stand for the finished model
- all other materials and accessories necessary to build the model as shown.
- lower deck made of 0.8 mm birch plywood
- laser-cut wooden panels made of pear wood with additional etched details for the sides and wheels of the gun carriages.
- sailcloth for all sails
- resin anchor.
- Laser-engraved maple veneer deck with more detailed reproduction of planks and nails.
Technical data
Scale 1:64
Length 637 mm
Height 517 mm
Width 256 mm
