F
Fairground models
While the circus has featured within several model ranges, there has been less attention to fairground models. An exception has been the Showman's Range launched by Corgi Classics in 1996.

Ferrari
The cars that bear the Ferrari name, the brainchild of Enzo Ferrari, born in Modena in 1898, have long had a cult status with model collectors. Ferrari was a racing driver, spending time with Alfa Romeo. His first cars, built in Maranello, just south of Modena, appeared in 1947. All Ferrari cars bear the famous Cavallino Rampante, or prancing horse, presented to Enzo after a race win in 1923.

The range of models is enormous, with particularly fine examples being available in 1/43rd scale. Some ranges, such as Art Model of Italy, comprise only models of Ferraris.

In 1999 Mattel obtained a licence to produce models and other memorabilia linked with Ferrari.

Film related
The James Bond series of films has provided the source for a number of models from Corgi Toys and subsequently by Corgi Classics. Most notable is the Aston Martin, which proved on its original release to be an enormous success for Corgi.

Matchbox Miniatures provide two models linked with 'A View to a Kill'. However, not all film-related themes have proved popular: 'Days of Thunder' was a less successful Matchbox tie-up.

(See also TV-related.)

Fire
Fire fighting vehicles have proved to be a popular theme, and so a fire engine was invariably an important constituent of any toy range. Subsequently many manufacturers offered a range of fire related vehicles, these including Solido, Corgi Classics and Matchbox Collectibles.

First Gear
A range of American trucks (heavy commercials), launched in 1992 to a scale of 1/32nd.

Foden
Foden in fact started life as Hancock and Foden Ltd. Edwin Foden had joined a small company called Platt and Hancock: when he was made a partner, the name was changed. It became Foden Ltd in 1902.

Edwin was born in 1841 and died in 1911: he was succeeded by one of his sons, Edwin Richard (see ERF).

The early days saw the company very much involved in steam-power: indeed its reluctance to move away from steam almost saw its collapse. However, the company did progress, and in 1980 was taken over by the American owners of Peterbilt and Kenworth.

The enthusiasm for models of steam powered vehicles in more recent years has seen models of Fodens from Matchbox (Yesteryears), Lledo (Days Gone) and more recently Corgi Classics (Vintage Glory).

Later vehicles carrying the distinctive Foden logo can be found from several toy and model producers.

Ford
Perhaps one of the most famous names in the field of family cars, vans and trucks. A wide variety of models and toys exist, with perhaps the Model T Ford, particularly the van version, heading the list.

The first Ford car was built in 1896. However, the Ford Motor Company was created in 1903 by Henry Ford in Detroit (see Cadillac), while the British division of the Ford Motor Company was established in 1911 at Trafford Park, Manchester. It was in 1931 that production started at the plant which most will associate with Ford, at Dagenham.

Henry Ford always wanted to produce cars for the masses. The Model T Ford first appeared in 1912, achieving the aim, for over 16 million were built. Production continued until 1927, when its successor was launched, the Model A.

Commercials using the chassis proved equally popular: the T, then the A (and the longer AA), both of which have proved popular prototypes (particularly the T) for the model industry.

Various other Ford vans have been produced as toys or models, notably the 300E which appeared in the Matchbox '1 - 75' range (and also a poor version by Morestone) and more recently has been produced in 1/43rd scale by Lledo Vanguards. The 5cwt van forms part of the Corgi Classics (and now Lledo Vanguards) range, which the E83W has been modelled as part of 'The Dinky Collection' from Matchbox (and also in white metal by Model Road Replicas).

The 400E minibus has been offered by Matchbox ('1 - 75') and Dinky Toys.

The Anglia van is included in the Lledo Vanguards range, and had previously appeared from Corgi: as a Husky, and as the delightful Wall's Ice Cream van in the main Corgi Toys range.

In the light van category, the replacement for the Anglia came in 1968 with the Escort van. There have been several versions (types) of this van, but only Corgi has offered a model version.

When it comes to familiarity, perhaps the most well known of Ford vans is the Transit, in its several versions. The vehicle was jointly developed by Ford in Germany and the United Kingdom: the first example was produced in 1965. The main versions come from Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys (including Husky) and Lledo Vanguards, plus including Matchbox Toys for the later types. The latest year 2000 Transit has been modelled by Corgi and by Britains.

The A Series was a midway point between the Transit and D Series (see later): Matchbox provides examples of the A Series.

Turning to trucks, the Thames Trader has been modelled by Matchbox, Tri-ang Spot-On, badly by Budgie Toys, and more recently has appeared in the Corgi Classics range.

The Trader was replaced by the D Series. The main toy version are to be found from Matchbox, Dinky and in the Corgi Juniors (Husky) series. The successor to the D was the Cargo: this time it is Corgi which is predominant, with Matchbox also offering models.

The next heavy commercial was the Transcontinental, produced in conjunction with Berliet of France. Models have been produced by Matchbox and Corgi. This was not a particularly successful truck for Ford and was phased out in 1983.

In the United States Ford have produced several heavy tractor units.

The range of Ford cars is even more extensive, and likewise the models available. Names famous in the United Kingdom such as Popular, Consul, Zephyr, Zodiac, Anglia, Cortina, Capri, Corsair, Sierra and Escort can all be represented from the toy and model manufacturers, with Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox Toys, Corgi Classics, Lledo Vanguards and Schabak being noteworthy. Names such as the Thunderbird and Fairlane are not neglected.

Forma
See Yaxon.

Formula One
Motor racing is almost as old as the car itself. In the early 1900s racing developed between countries, but the rules became quite strict. As a result the French developed their own races, open to all, staged near Le Mans, and the Grand Prix was born. Over the years various formulae were determined under which racing would take place.

After the Second World War a formula was derived for single-seater racing. First called Formula A this in 1948 became Formula One. The actual specification for Formula One has changed over the years, as engines have become more powerful.

By the late 1960s a major change had occurred in that the logos of sponsors started to appear on cars. This has resulted in an extensive interest in models of the cars involved, not only in the year-by-year development of the cars themselves, but in the drivers and the various sponsors. Indeed, now the situation has arisen whereby manufacturers of Formula One models need to seek licencing agreements from a wide range of organisations, representing the racing teams, drivers and sponsors, before a model can be produced.

Models, or perhaps more accurately toys, of Formula One cars appeared almost as soon as the formula was determined. The first came from the Italian company Mercury, closely followed by Dinky Toys. Other toy manufacturers who produced such cars included Corgi Toys, Märklin, Solido, Schuco, Politoys, Majorette and notably Crescent Toys.

Over the years there has been a gradual move towards the products being more models than toys. For example, a series of Formula One cars in 1/36th scale was produced by Corgi Toys in the 1970s. These re-appeared, but with better specifications, as The Donington Series from Corgi Classics in the 1990s.

Many other companies have offered products, and in a variety of scales, such as Bburago, Champion (Safir), Eidai, Matchbox, Politoy/Polistil, Tomica and Yaxon.
Recent years have seen the quality improve considerably with excellent offerings from such brand names as Brumm, Onyx (with its associate brand Quartzo producing classic Formula One cars) and Minichamps, plus superb larger scale models from Exoto. However, licencing agreements are resulting in changes, with licences being awarded to fewer manufacturers: currently the main producer is Mattel.

France Jouets
The company of France Jouet produced die-cast toys during the 1960s. The range of 1/45th scale models were in the main of military vehicles, although other commercial vehicles were also included. Later production was taken over by Safir.

France, made in
Perhaps the main association with France as far as British collectors are concerned is French Dinky Toys, produced from a dedicated factory outside Paris, and run independently of the UK operation.

The French market seems to have been more prone than most to dies being 'shared' by various manufacturers, which can cause some confusion over such ranges as Solido, Verem, Majorette, Norev and Eligor.

Many of the French companies concentrated on older vehicles; others had special arrangements with the leading French motoring manufacturers.

The main names, apart from those already mentioned, include CIJ, JRD, Quiralu and Rami.

Franklin Mint
A company which offers a wide range of collectables through national press advertising. Often offered are die-cast model vehicles which reveal superb detailing and represent good value. Initially direct selling was the favoured way of marketing these products, which can make obtaining some of these models difficult, although second-hand can be available from dealers or by auction.

French Dinky Toys
Dinky Toys opened a factory at Bobingy, on the outskirts of Paris, in 1934. While much of the production was intended for the Continental market, these were made available in the United Kingdom.

The very early releases were very similar to those produced in the United Kingdom: however, later the French Dinky Toys took on very much their own identity.

Production continued until 1979: throughout its life the French factory had always gone very much its own way.

French Dinky Toys offer a fascinating adjunct for collectors, especially those who find tackling the United Kingdom Dinky Toys too daunting.

Frog Kits
A series of model aircraft plastic kits, in 1/72nd scale, launched in 1955 by Lines Bros and which continued in production until the early 1960s.

 

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