The Vigilant was built for the Commissioners of Customs in 1902 for a cost of £5,390.
She was powered by a triple expansion engine steamed by a single scotch boiler and attained a speed of eleven knots.

Her dimensions are 100 feet, (30.48 meters) between perpendiculars, 108 feet, (32.8 meters) overall, 16 foot, (4.88 meters), beam, 8 foot, (2.44 meters), draught.

She was stationed at Gravesend and used for the control and clearance of ships bound for the Port of London. She was also used by the Commissioners for Customs to inspect their posts in ports around the coast.

Kit Contents:
Glass reinforced plastic hull with a stainless steel stem and keel locked into the moulding. Stainless steel stern post and propeller guard, moulded rudder, bronze propeller with stainless steel shaft, running in brass stern tube with bronze bearings.
Pre-cut plywood building stand, deck, deck beams and stringers, chart house frame and saloon roof. Strip spruce in various sizes. Lime strip for the laid deck. Sheets 0.8mm pear for the construction of the hatches, chart house, engine room hatch and skylight and the saloon.

A tool is provided to produce the panel beading. Pear in various sizes and sections is also provided. The two ships boats have moulded hulls and are provided with all parts to finish them, including oars, cast brass rowlocks, boat hook ends, gudgeons and pintles, and cast gratings. Several sheets of acid etched brass for both construction and fine detail. Nearly 400 cast or machined brass fittings.

Parts to build a full set of working copper navigation lights and an anchor light. Lengths of brass rod, tube, angle and 'T' section. Cordage for rigging etc.

There are 6 x AO sheets of drawings including two sheets of full size general arrangement drawings. 8 x A3 and 4 x A4 sheets of colour illustrations and an instruction manual.

The model displaces 24 lbs., (10.8 kilos). The completed model from the kit weighs 12 lbs., (5.4 kilos). There is therefore 12 lbs., (5.4 kilos), of displacement for the propulsion unit, batteries radio, etc.

The model is suitable for either steam or electric power.
Scale 1/2"= 1ft 1:24Length 54" (1372mm) Beam 82" (203mm)Draught 4" (102mm)Weight of model without propulsion unit etc 12lbs (5.5kg)Displacement of model 24lbs (11kg)

£1,472.34

   H.M. Customs Cruiser Vigilant ... £1,472.34   

The rear door opens to a cockpit with upholstered seats and the forward doors open to a covered steering position. Forward of this is the steam plant. A skylight covers the engine, and forward of this is the boiler. A refillable gas tank and oil separator are also provided, these are concealed beneath the floors, as are all the radio control servos.

All pipework has been pre-bent and all connections fitted. The boiler and gas tank are hydraulically tested, and the complete unit steam tested before despatch. The floors each side of the engine and boiler lead to a forward cockpit with slatted seats and a drop leaf table. The saloon has a detachable coach roof, allowing access to the galley, w.c. and saloon. At 1/12th scale, there is plenty of scope for the miniaturist to add their own personal touch.

The kit comprises a fibreglass hull and all ply and other woods necessary to complete the model. There are over one hundred brass fittings, (no white metal is used). These include boathooks, door plates, stanchions, tread plates, hand rails, oil lamps and taps.
A Windermere kettle, (non working), is also provided. The saloon and cockpit button back upholstery is ready moulded, as are the w.c. and basin. All running gear is brass or stainless steel, bearings fitted and ready to install. Full size drawings and an instruction book with detail drawings and colour illustrations are also provided. The kit is available without the steam plant for those who wish to install other units.

Please Use The Dropdown Box To See the Choices Of Steam Plants Available
Please be aware the kits with the steam plant are made to order and can take a week or two to get hold of

The model Kit
Has a fibreglass hull and the cabin and open areas are panelled in alternate pear and lime, stained to represent the mahogany and pine of the prototype.
The saloon has a galley and w.c. The seats in the saloon are upholstered, the floor carpeted and there is a drop-leaf table.
There are two steering positions, one in the forward cockpit and one in the centre cockpit.

There are over 120 brass fittings and castings in the kit (no white metal is used) . These include such details as boathooks, doorplates and handles, tread plates, taps etc.
At one twelfth scale there is plenty of scope for the miniaturist to add his or her's own personal touches.

Length o.a.: 1340 mm  Beam o.a.: 203 mm  Height : 100 mm  Scale 1 : 12  Displacement ca. 9 kg.

Please Use The Dropdown Box To See the Choices Of Steam Plants Available
Please be aware the kits with the steam plant are made to order and can take a week or two to get hold of