Ship Modelers Database
Pictured: a built model of this ship — not the historical vessel.
HMS Alert
- Type
- Cutter
- Period
- 18th Century
- Nation
- Great Britain
Overview: HMS Alert was a 10-gun cutter of the Royal Navy, one of the largest cutter classes then in service, best remembered for her single-ship action against the American brigantine Lexington during the American War of Independence. She is a popular subject for scale modelers, with multiple commercial kits (Vanguard Models, Trident Model) and an Anatomy of the Ship monograph devoted to her. Specifications: Built by Henry Ladd at Dover and launched in 1777, Alert was rigged as a cutter and was quickly converted to a sloop rig the same year. She originally mounted ten 4-pounder carriage guns plus swivel guns; after an overhaul at Plymouth in February 1778 her armament was upgraded to twelve 6-pounder guns to increase broadside weight. Service History: On 19 September 1777 Alert engaged and, after roughly three and a half hours of fighting, captured the American 16-gun brigantine Lexington in the English Channel. In June 1778 she forced the French lugger Coureur to strike after a 90-minute action, but on 17 July 1778 Alert herself was captured in the Channel by the French frigate Junon and taken into French service as Alerte. She foundered off the coast of America in December 1779. Notable Facts: As one of the largest and best-documented cutters built for the Royal Navy, Alert's construction and rigging are extensively covered in Peter Goodwin's Anatomy of the Ship volume on the class, making her one of the most thoroughly documented small 18th-century warships for modelers. Her rapid mid-commission conversion from cutter to sloop rig, and subsequent rearmament, are notable design quirks reflected in several scratch and kit builds.
Kits of this ship
| HMS Alert 1777 | Vanguard Models | 1:64 (3/16 in=1 ft, S) | Available | |
| HMS Alert 1777 | Trident Model | 1:48 (1/4 in=1 ft, O) | Discontinued | |
| HMS Alert 1777 (MK019, Paper Model No. 50) | Shipyard (Poland) | 1:96 (1/8 in=1 ft) | Available |
Build Logs
+ Link a build log- HM Armed Cutter Alert (1777) - Vanguard Models - 1/64 - Completed BuildSmithy · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Extensive multi-page build log (36+ pages) explicitly for the Vanguard Models 1/64 Alert kit, covering hull, coppering, gun rigging, and full rigging through to completion.
- HM Armed Cutter "Alert" 1777 VM (Vanguard models) by MilosMilos-B · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Builder explicitly states this is his building log of the Vanguard Models Alert kit, starting from unboxing and keel assembly.
- HMS ALERT 1777 Trident model by HongBinTrident Model / HongBin · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Original kit-development thread on SOS containing progress photos from a commissioned tester build (HongBin) of the Trident Alert kit.
- HMS ALERT 1777 - 1:48 POF - Trident Model -by Stanstan167 · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Builder documents starting the Trident HMS Alert kit with keel/jig assembly photos and ongoing progress.
- Trident Model - HMS Alert 1777 by Lusitania1915Lusitania1915 · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Builder documents unboxing and start of construction of the Trident Alert kit, with intent to continue posting progress.
- HMS ALERT 1777 Trident model by Yuhong [COMPLETED BUILD]Yuhong · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Completed build log thread where the builder shows the finished Trident Alert model as his second ship build.
- Trident Model HMS Alert 1777 1:48 POF, built by mstritzlmstritzl · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Builder-run log of his Trident Alert build, self-described as informal but tracking progress over time.
- Hms Alert 1777- Trident Model 1:48 by SubmarinerblueSubmarinerblue · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Builder explicitly begins a build log for the Trident Alert kit, documenting keel assembly and materials issues.
- HMS Alert by DSTDST · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Builder starts a build log for the Trident Alert kit, detailing berth/jig assembly and referencing communication with Trident Model.
- Trident Model - HMS Alert 1777 All the process [COMPLETED BUILD]wang · Ships of Scale(HMS Alert 1777)
Multi-page completed build log for the Trident Alert kit, including a diorama base for the finished model.
Resources
+ Submit a resource- Wikipedia: HMS Alert (1777)Website
Summarizes the ship's build, armament, and service history including the action against USS Lexington and eventual loss.
- Vanguard Models: HMS Alert 1777 Kit Product PageWebsite
Manufacturer kit page with historical background and a built-model photo useful as a reference image for modelers.
- Ships of Scale: HMS Alert 1777 Cutter POF Build LogWebsite
Build log discussing available documentation, including the Anatomy of the Ship book on the Alert class, useful for modelers researching the ship.
- 'Alert' (1777); 'Rattlesnake' (1777) - Admiralty Ship PlansPlans
National Maritime Museum (Royal Museums Greenwich) Admiralty Collection plans covering the Alert-class cutter Alert and her sister Rattlesnake, useful for hull lines and profile.
- The Naval Cutter Alert 1777 (Anatomy of the Ship)Book
Peter Goodwin's Anatomy of the Ship volume is the definitive published reconstruction of Alert, containing a complete set of detailed line drawings, explanatory views and construction details; this page describes the book and a model built from its plans.
- HM Cutter Alert, 1777 in scale 1:36 by own reconstructionArticle
In-depth research article that critically re-examines Peter Goodwin's Anatomy of the Ship reconstruction against surviving original Admiralty draughts (including ZAZ7910) and Danish archive copies, useful for modelers seeking more historically precise lines.
- HM Cutter Alert 1777 by Blue Ensign - Vanguard Models 1:64 Build LogArticle
Extensive, highly-regarded Model Ship World build log of the Vanguard Models 1:64 kit with detailed construction photos, rigging notes and modeling techniques.
- Kit Review: 1:48 HMS Alert 1777 - Trident ModelArticle
Detailed kit review of the Trident Model 1:48 POF kit on Model Ship World, useful for comparing kit accuracy and construction approach against historical sources.
- HMS Alert - Marine Model ArtistArticle
A modeler's reference article summarizing HMS Alert's design, service history and role as a Royal Navy cutter, useful background for a build.
- HM Sloop of War Cutter Alert (1777) - Vanguard Models 1/64 Completed BuildArticle
A fully completed Ships of Scale build log of the Vanguard Models 1:64 kit with extensive photos documenting hull, deck, and rigging details from start to finished model.
- HMS Alert (Vanguard Models) - Product History NotesWebsite
Manufacturer's page giving historical background on Alert's construction, armament changes and career, useful for accuracy checks on details like her 1778 gun refit.