The Canadian Vickers Vigil was a single-seat patrol aircraft based on an RCAF specification for a forest fire patrol aircraft. The CAF/RCAF had been undertaking forest patrols from the early 1920s. In 1926, the RCAF issued a specification to replace aging D.H. 4 aircraft being used in this role. The Vigil was a strut-braced sesquiplane. The upper wing was instead made of steel spars and ribs with a corrugated aluminum skin. The aircraft was designed for operation on floats, wheels and skis. Unfortunately, the Vigil was considerably overweight when built and this deficiency considerably reduced the aircraft's performance and operational ceiling. This lack of performance made the aircraft unsuitable for its intended role. The aircraft was instead stationed at the Rockcliffe Air Station in Ottawa and used by pilots then stationed in Ottawa for proficiency flying. In January and February of 1929, the aircraft was used for experimental air mail delivery flights to the Maritimes. A little over a year later, the requirement for an overhaul and repairs led the assessment that further effort was uneconomical and the aircraft was consequently scrapped.