Old 15mm RAFM Traveller figures -- painted at last

[Fitz]

I've had these figures knocking around in my collection for a good long time — 20-25 years easily, though they're a little older than that. In their day, they were easily the best 15mm figures available in any genre; 15mm wargaming figures of the time tended to be pretty basic. For many years, these were the only 15mm sci-fi figures available, and I think they were originally marketed under the FASA banner.

These days, 15mm figures have improved enormously, and there are plenty of manufacturers to rival RAFM in terms of sculpting quality. These guys are still right at the top of the field when it comes to character though; they're just oozing with it. RAFM have re-released them, and I'm sorely tempted to buy some more now that at long last I can.

I've just got around to thinking about painting them, after all these years. My friend Joffre is planning to run a space-opera-ish sci-fi campaign in a few weeks, and I thought it might be useful to have to figures ready and waiting for the fun to start. I think 15mm is ideal for modern/sci-fi gaming; they're large enough to be identifiable, but small enough to accommodate the longer ranges at which combat tends to happen — fantasy games tend to concentrate a lot more on hand-to-hand stuff, so the larger figure scales aren't as problematic. I've tried using WH40K Epic 6mm figures in the past, but they're just too tiny to be manageable as single figures.

[Braz]

Awesome paint job. Much better than my toothpick applied, enamel splotch job I did 20+ years ago. These are still some of my favorite minis and I concur that they still ooze character. I should strip and repaint them. Again awesome.

[jamesmanto]

Nicely done! Good shading and blending etc.
RAFM really should promote these more and maybe add to the line.

[Etranger]

Yes they're nice characterful figures & still scrub up pretty well against more modern sculpts. I agree with your comments on 15mm scifi, which is why I chose that route!

[HerbyF]

I have to agree. 15mm is a much better scale for Sci-Fi gaming. Although I do have a good sized collection in both 15 & 28.

[inrepose]

Brilliant job! Most of mine are still in a box!

Here are some of mine.  Certainly not as nice as yours - mine are more "rustic". I think that is a fair way of saying just about passable!

Sadly my image link did not work but here is the link to the blog article with the larger images: http://www.gruntz.biz/2009/10/traveller-15mm.html

[rob_alderman]

These are just great!

They remind me an awful lot of the old laserburn stuff that is still available from www.15mm.co.uk

Great stuff!

[Bako]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I stumbled upon these through Google and I wasn't even looking for pictures of miniatures. Some pretty beautiful stuff there.

[CptJake]

Great job on those.   These are some of my favorite Sci Fi 15mm figs.   I have a lot of them, mostly unpainted with the exception of my high-tech/armored troopers:



When I get to the rest, I wish I would be able to do half as nice a job as you did.

Jake

[Fjodin]

Great painting!!!!!!!

[Meier_Elf_Fanatic]

Inspirational stuff.

I am just starting on over 700 of the little sods...

[War Monkey]

Those are great, nice paint work. I have a few sets myself that I have been slowly working on too, I am guessing that I might need to get my butt in gear and get them done.

[has.been]

Those are great, nice paint work. I have a few sets myself that I have been slowly working on too, I am guessing that I might need to get my butt in gear and get them done.

That could be me too, well apart from the 'working on' bit. 

[martinjpayne]

Shows the quality of the Perry twins sculpting that they still look good almost forty years after their initial release. Your painting really sets them off to a tee, well done.
Brings back good memories of playing Snapshot and Azhanti High Lightning back in the eighties.

[Fitz]

I made this air-raft out of an old HotWheels toy I got for a couple of bucks. I intended to put some passengers in it as well, but I somehow never got around to it — probably because our sci-fi campaign kind of ground to a halt.

These days I would probably 3d print something; I suspect the days of old-school kitbashing and toy modification are in the process of passing away, and will soon be the province only of grumpy old farts mumbling to themselves through their dentures.