"RAFM 15mm SF figs to go OOP" Topic

From the RAFM web site: rafm.com

<<
NEWS
RAFM to take 15mm Sci-fi range out of production.

As of August 30th 2009 the RAFM Grav vehicles and infantry will be pulled from production.
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So if you want any get them now before they're gone.

Trev

Thanks for the heads up Trev.

Real shame about the infantry.

Cheers
Mark

Grabbed some infantry while I could..the vehicles are just scary expensive though..I just don't know how RAFM could charge that much when GZG, Combat Wombat, Rebel amongst others, managed to be cheaper…

Huh. No word of explanation?

Probably because the range isn't moving enough to make the stocking costs worth it, and the molds are worn out.

Already? They just got here!

M1Fanboy hit the nail on the head, though. For the price of one of those RAFM grav-tanks, I could outfit a whole platoon from Old Crow or GZG.

Their prices were 28mm-scale!

Their Grav Tanks do look pretty neat, but the price is a bit high.

Anyone know how long, wide, and tall they are?

Need to pick up a few more packs of the infantry.

Thanks,

John

Does anyone have a close up pic of the infantry?

-Will

is this the old Striker range of infantry?

Yep.

In fairness, those grav tanks are HUGE chunks of not-lead.

I love the figures, but its clear I'm never gonna play with the ones I already have, much less more.

Fudge. I'll have to get a bunch before they are gone.

Their grav tanks may look sweet but you can get the same look and feel from GZG and a fraction of the price.

-Eli

Just when 15mm SF seems to be catching on.

If the molds are exhausted and the line is slow-moving, its a bit of a double-whammy.

Gotta plan an order for after payday…

They should have made these in resin. That would have gone a long way towards mitigating the price and making them more attractive to 15mm gamers.

The EVA troops are really, really nice. I bought a couple of sets, but will have to get a couple more before it's too late.

CC

Prices for the tanks, apcs and skiffs are high when compared with the rest of the market but the accessories and infantry are well priced in my opinion.

Master Chef and I have about 300 of these minis between us but none of the AFVs. RAFMs international postage rates really put dampers on any further off the cuff purchases which could easily have doubled that number.

It's a shame they are going OOP.

Cheers
Mark

Too bad. Thanks for the heads up Trev! I just ordered 17 packs of infantry.

I think RAFM missed an opportunity here. Even though these figures are old, their quality and detail is equivalent ot even the best new figures. 15mm sci fi is (relatively) booming right now. But RAFM only announced them a couple times, and failed to do provide painted pics, or supply them to blogs like Dropship Horizon to ensure extra promotion.

I don't care for the vehicles, and I think RAFM made a mistake investing money and effort into them. Metal vehicles of that size are just too expensive, and they weren't even that cool. GZG's vehicles are better and cheaper.

Largely agree with you Ivan. i feel they were poorly promoted and obscured from casual browsing on the web with no direct link on the front page.

I did mention/promote them quite early on as I really like the minis and if those were the only new Sci Fi minis to come out in the last year – would have still been very happy!

They simply got lost amongst the sudden explosion of new Sci Fi minis and were allowed to remain just that – lost .

Cheers
Mark

You and a few others did your due, Mark. They showed up on Lead Adventure and a few other blogs. But the community can not be solely responsible for pushing the product (doesn't hurt ).

I am wondering if the molds will go back on the market? Perhaps some other company who thinks they are worth the time will give them a go.

-Eli

Wow you guys sure love to speculate don't you. :)

Have fun.

I have a feeling that, if more publicity is not given to other fine figures, we might be having other companies drop them.

Example of one range I hope never goes away:

link

In fact, I hope they get enough sales to consider expanding it.

CC

"you guys sure love to speculate don't you."

Its almost as much fun, and often far more compelling a pass-time, as actually gaming.

If Jon at GZG is listening, pick up the rights to the molds! They scale great with your figs!

I just ordered a few packs myself. Hopefully someone else will pick up the rights, but if not, I'll at least have some. My gaming group is talking about playing Mongoose Traveller soon, so these will work perfectly!
By the way does anyone have any painted pics of the RAFM minis posted anywhere??

They look so sweet, that I must order more:

picture

CC

Got my 15mm RAFM order in today. Dang it I should have ordered more! These guys are just what I needed. I may have to order some more before the 30th. If your holding off on getting these, don't!
I'm still looking for some painted pics if anyone has any please share!

How's this?

link

CC

I wonder if this "interior" could be adapted to work on a different craft:

link
link

It would make a nice ship interior, if it could be done.

Ok, just to be safe, I've just ordered more of their troops, instead of waiting until the end of the month (might be too late then):

link

CC

Thanks CC. Added that to the pile of pics. : )
Here's a link to a blog that has done some interesting mix and match of the RAFM stuff.

link

Something for your 15mm spacemen to deal with on their ship, perhaps?

link

Don't let it get to this point though:

link
YouTube link
link

CC

Regarding the RAFM minis, I've been steadily working on my collection of 15mm sci fi stuff. I realized the RAFM minis are about 1mm or so shorter than my other 15mm minis. Not that big of a deal to some, heck I didn't notice it at first, it wasn't until I was fixing them to washers that I noticed the difference. From a tabletop vantage point. you can't even tell. Just wanted to let you guys know.

I noticed the very tiny size difference too, but the variation in poses more than makes up for a mm or two difference. None of the 9 suited figures in the pack are the same which, to me, is a big bonus.

In fact, I noticed that their dynamic poses are probably the reason why they look a bit shorter than other 15mm figures that are in standing or strolling poses.

That's why I went ahead and ordered two more packs of their suited guys, before it's too late. I knew I would regret it later if I missed out.

CC

FIVE DAYS LEFT, PEOPLE!

I got mine already. Get yours now, or don't whine later. :)

CC

I just placed another order. Good stuff! Sorry to see these go! Maybe someone will pick up the line.

I guess they are history now. :(

link

Glad I got mine though.

CC

Bet you come first September someone like Mongoose will announce they now have the licence.

Thanks to RAFM for making them available over the last year.

Cheers
Mark

Got mine also CC.
Mark, I wish Mongoose would take them on in 15mm, that would give me some hope of seeing some Aslan and Vargr in 15mm!!

It's a pity, I liked some of those RAFM models, the tanks (which I have 2)looked aerodynamic & were bigger than most 15mm AFV's. Other than some of GZG's grav vehicles, most of the grav AFV's & APC's are clunky & look like a modern tank without treads. Even the newest high tech GZG AFV/APC's have a squared off front-though in their defense they are at least chisel pointed in cross section. However, their prices were a bit high so I've haven't bought very many. Still I was hoping to save up enough money later in the year to buy certain models.

RiteousRude,

Maybe Mongoose needs to look into licensing the miniatures work to somebody who'd proven they can produce and has the resources in place in-house. GZG, CMG, Rebel, I'm sure any of these fine folks wouldn't mind entertaining an IP with such classic roots as Traveler.

-Eli

I have a few of the vehicles on order, and have some of the troops incoming as well.

What are the dimensions of their grav tanks?

I do hope someone will pick them up, as they are a superb range of troops, and the vehicles look quite nice too.

Eli,
I agree with you. We can only hope.
Top Gun Ace,
I couldn't afford the grav tanks, just too expensice for me. But I did get the Grav Cycles which work out very nicely!
Here's a (poor quality) picture of the RAFM grav cycles, I've got them on top of a WIP base. A Rebel Minis Spy fig is standing by two of the cycles on the building.
picture

RR, I noticed you got a Battle Rig too!

Are you going to keep the cannon or convert it somehow?

link
TMP link

CC

Not sure yet CC. I'm leaning towards losing the cannon, but I haven't decided yet. Once I saw your pictures on how well it scaled I had to get myself one. Course I had to go to three Targets to find it. My wife didn't understand my sudden interest in shopping, until she saw what I was after.

Honestly, the cannon on the back is kind of cheesy looking. If you wanted to have a gun on the back, I'd build an armored box and put in a 15mm AA gun or something.

-Eli

The grav tanks are 3 inches long, two inches wide, & slightly over an inch high. I've got 2 I planned to paint light gray underside & a body & turret painted orange with black tiger stripes-a paint scheme given to me from another gamer on the COTI I liked very much. Also, the vehicle comes with a control panel & ribbed floor, so if you don't glue the turret & the piece the turret rests on you can another vehicle (combat cat, air/raft, whatever) to use when you don't need a tank. I don't know if I'll be able to buy any more I'm saving up for to pickup a few more GZG vehicles & some of the Protolene minis due out from Critical Mass in November.

For artillery, I don't buy much unless it is unusual (GZG's remote gun platforms, for one). I scratchbuilt most of mine or build them from a Warhammer set of plastic 25/28mm plastic weapon accessories set. Unfortunately, I understand that set is no longer available.

Hi Baron,

Thanks for the info.

Sounds good. I think the tiger-striped camo scheme is far too under-represented on the gametable.

Best regards,

Rob