The shape of the Matchbox kit’s vertical tail isn’t bad, but it’s a mystery as to why they didn’t bother to round off the nose of the bottom half of the rudder.  They did that for the upper rudder, so why not do the lower part, too?

These resin replacement parts correct the shape of the tail’s tip, which should be more symmetrical and not taller in the back.  They also provide a posable rudder with the correct nose cross-section which is rounded on the bottom half and more wedge-shaped for the top half.   The rudder trim tab is not separate but can be easily sawed off if you want to pose it to be opposite the direction the rudder is deflected (which is the correct geometry).  You’ll need to make a trim tab actuator – starboard side only.

The three hinge supports are part of the mold but sometimes they get broken, however, it is easy to replace them with sheet stock.  Note that on the real aircraft they stick out a bit to the sides and that the lower two are thicker.

Regardless of which version of the Privateer you decide to model, this will help improve the realism of the vertical tail.

Part(s) will be mailed in a padded bag with carboard stiffening.  To get a combined shipping discount please put all your items in your shopping cart and they will automatically be combined.

From a smoke-free home.

Sold as-is, no warranty or returns.