Fokker F.VIIb/3m - the German/ Polish passenger plane

In 1924 the prototype of the "Fokker F.VII" plane took to the air, which was an improved version of the previous "F.V". It was a single-engine free-hanging high-wing monoplane, capable of carrying 8 passengers. An improved model - "F.VIIa" - was produced a year later. This plane became the model of the XXth century. 20 - 30 years in terms of the structural layout of passenger planes. Its simplicity and reliability led to the rapid spread of this type of aircraft in the passenger transport market. In 1925 a 3-engine version was built in record time - it was intended for participation in the "Ford Reliability Tour" competition. The 3-engine scheme guaranteed flight safety and was not yet widely used in the construction of communication planes. The new aircraft received the designation "Fokker F.VIIa/3m", later produced an improved version "Fokker F.VIIb/3m", in which the wingspan was increased. One of the most reliable aircraft engines of the time - stellar Wright J4 "Whirlwind" engines with a power of 200 h. p.  (147 kW) each were installed in the plane. "Fokker F.VIIa/3m" and "Fokker F.VIId/3m" airplanes were widely used by Polskie Linii Lotnicze "LOT", a company founded in 1929, on domestic and international routes until 1936. The airplanes, written off from "LOT", were for some time used in the Polish Military Aviation, where they are used as transport or paratrooper training planes. Passenger planes were modernized during operation - additional side windows were installed in the cockpit, some of the planes' engines were replaced with more powerful (420 h. p.) Pratt and Whitney "Wasp Junior" TBs with two-bladed metal propellers. "Fokker F.VIIa/3m" manufactured under license at the ZM "Plage i Laškewicz" factory in Lublin. In 1929-30, 11 passenger and 20 bomber version airplanes were produced here. The bomber version was the company's own designed version of this aircraft. In addition to Poland, Fokker F.VIIa/3m is produced under licenses in Great Britain, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Italy and Spain. A total of 154 Fokker F.VIIa/3m aircraft were produced, including those, produced under licenses.

The model, although well designed and highly detailed, is not very complex. The most complicated part of the model will be the 3 engines, installed openly, which do not really "give up" to be simplified. And otherwise, an advanced beginner or a modeler with little experience, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, without doing internal detailing and making opaque glasses, can fully glue together this beautiful and competitive model. In addition to the details already listed, it is necessary to note the excellent detailing of the exterior, the possibility of choosing side and tail covers with a more or less pronounced frame structure. There is a considerable stock of colors reserve. The textual instructions are small, but quite detailed, the graphical instruction are excellent. The model reproduces the appearance of the aircraft with registration "SP-ABB" ("Basia"), used by "LOT" until 1936 and later sold to Polish AF.