Approximately 500 were in service until the practice was abolished.
The early US Government gave the ships 'letters of marque' and they were free to raid English shipping interests with the blessing of the US Government. Privateers were actually civilian ships manned by private citizens. This is the only scale plastic kit ever made of a Privateer.
Very rare first issue dated 1959 with 'Famous Fighters' logo in the oval sunburst.