Valom – 72171 –  Fokker F.VIIb/3m (Air France)

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a Dutch Fokker F.VII aircraft.

The Fokker F.VIIb/3m was a tri-motor airliner developed in the mid-1920s, widely used for both civil and military purposes. It featured a high wing, fixed undercarriage, and could carry up to a dozen passengers. In Air France service, the F.VIIb/3m came through its predecessor airlines like Air Orient, which had operated several of them before the 1933 merger that created Air France. These aircraft were used on long-range colonial routes, including in North Africa and French Indochina. Examples like F-AMBU “La Boudeuse” and F-AMFS “La Curieuse” are known to have operated in Saigon and other overseas destinations, highlighting their role in maintaining French imperial connectivity. The aircraft was appreciated for its reliability and simplicity, well-suited to the rough airstrips and long legs of colonial service.

By the late 1930s, the type was nearing obsolescence and being phased out, but its contribution to early commercial aviation was significant. Some airframes also ended up with the Spanish Republicans, repurposed for transport or ad hoc bomber roles, showing how versatile the F.VIIb/3m could be even in wartime improvisation.

Update with new decals of Valom kit tooled around mid 2000s with several releases since then, some of the can be found in the related kits section. The Valom 1/72 scale Fokker F.VIIb/3m kit is a short-run multimedia release that offers a detailed and visually appealing representation of this classic trimotor aircraft. It includes crisply molded plastic parts with fine recessed panel lines, along with resin engines and photo-etched details that enhance realism. The instructions are somewhat vague, requiring modelers to make judgment calls during assembly.

As is typical with limited-run kits, some cleanup is necessary—mold seams, ejector pin marks, and slightly soft detail on small parts like landing gear struts can require attention. Fit issues are reported around the engine nacelles and undercarriage, often needing scratch-built reinforcement for durability. Builders describe the kit as not refined but rewarding, especially for those comfortable with some extra effort and adaptation. Overall, it’s a solid base for a unique aircraft subject, particularly attractive for modelers interested in interwar aviation or lesser-covered topics.