RAFM Miniatures has closed

[HerbertTarkel]

There used to be a RAFM Canada; they produced GHQ Micro Armour here. Sentry Box in Calgary here still has some RAFM GHQ casts. Real vintage stuff.

They also have a lot of the RAFM Canada range still, lots of interesting models. I think one of the few places to get Riel Rebellion range miniatures.

[Muzfish4]

Vale RAFM. I sent legions of their Call of Cthulhu investigators to death and madness (and both) as a teenager.

[Will Bailie]

Sorry to see them go.  However, I'll reflect on the comments from Mammoth Miniatures and Mike Demana and admit that I've not bought anything from them in a long time, and neither has anyone I know.   

[Chief Lackey Rich]

And another one bites the dust... 

Oddest thing is that it happened without any warning. Makes me wonder if something untowards has happened to the owner.

But perhaps somebody will step in and adopt the catalogue?

It is very strange the way this closure was handled.  Usually when a caster shuts down they at least make an effort to find purchasers for their molds and masters, but I haven't heard a thing along those lines in this case.

[carlos marighela]

Well, the apparent absence of people indicating recent purchases, probably renders the selling on of moulds, masters and toolings somewhat moot.

It's a bit like those announcements of older celebrities' deaths, where you think to yourself 'Really? I thought he/she had died years ago'.

[Earther]

The 15mm ex-Citadel Traveller figs are the only ones I’ll lament. Bought a bunch, but not the entirety of their offerings, so missing some packs. A shame, but inevitable I suppose.

[Dubbya]

The owner of "rpgelements" (who already keeps a few old ranges alive) has posted in a couple of Facebook groups asking advice on buying the (whole?) range.

There's perhaps some hope! I only have a handful of rafm fantasy mixed in my armies, but are all lovely.

I'll admit, I have idled on their page many times over the years without ordering. Postage to Australia can be a nightmare, and usually Ral Partha or someone more local wins out.

I was going to reply that I'd place an order one day, but good intentions don't keep a business running. I'd love to support everyone who keeps old figures in production, but I know I can't.

(I know I've seen a few companies get flooded with "I was just going to order" or "shame, I bought some 15 years ago" messages on going out of business statements, it must suck)

[HerbertTarkel]

Well, the apparent absence of people indicating recent purchases, probably renders the selling on of moulds, masters and toolings somewhat moot.

It's a bit like those announcements of older celebrities' deaths, where you think to yourself 'Really? I thought he/she had died years ago'.

I literally forget that Tom Petty died YEARS ago! He seemed timeless. Apparently, he was not.

RAFM should continue. They have some classics.

[carlos marighela]

I literally forget that Tom Petty died YEARS ago! He seemed timeless. Apparently, he was not.

Heartbreaking as that discovery must have been, you've made up your mind and I suggest that you don't back down. 

[mikedemana]

Never tease a man dealing with grief. Herbert is doubtless still Free Falling in his sadness... 

Mike Demana

[HerbertTarkel]

Heartbreaking as that discovery must have been, you've made up your mind and I suggest that you don't back down. 

 

It’s like you’re running down my dream… 

[syrinx0]

Yeah.  Don't Do Herbert Like That.

I was a bit surprised they didn't hit a few of the boards with the news.  FB is remarkably poor about notifying you of posts even of people you follow.  I bought from them up to 2020 but only a few miniatures at a time for pulp or COC gaming.

[robh]

I was also surprised there was not more coverage of this news. RAFM were one of the cornerstone suppliers in the hobby for decades. 
Which ultimately may have contributed to their difficulties, like other people who have been in this hobby a long time I had already purchased pretty much everything in their fantasy RPG ranges that I wanted.
RAFM, TSR, Pre-slotta Citadel and Ral Partha make up the bulk of my FRPG figure collection.

Of the pieces I would still be buying from them the Mekton licence (and game) ceased a long time ago so those figures were no longer available and likewise they could not cast pieces from the Fantastique Noir or Vampyre ranges when I enquired a couple of years ago.

While it is a shame to see an eminent supplier fail I think the market has moved on from such businesses, in the grand scheme of things I am not sure many people will notice they have gone 

[Dubbya]

Yep, it's been sad to see how little mention it has gotten.

One thing I find with older companies is how little noise they make themselves to show they are still around. Alternative Armies are one of the better ones, posting re-releases on multiple channels. I get that it's probably the age of the owners, but I really wish a company like RAFM would post well painted examples and good quality bare metal photos to remind us that yes, you can buy some early fantasy models new!

(Look how awkward it is to navigate Miniature figurines site to confirm that you can still buy the Aureola Rococo range. That's history!)


I'm one of the people who always, always replies with a link to Ral Partha Europe or whoever when saying "it's still available new" when people ask for model IDs or ask for value online.

[Cubs]

FB is remarkably poor about notifying you of posts even of people you follow.

But great at telling you it was someone's birthday a week ago.