Wednesday 22 February 2012

RAFM SWAT Troopers

I'm still sticking with the theme of SWAT Troopers for my figures reviews and this time I turn the spotlight on RAFM's output from their 28mm scale USX range. Also in this review is an old Horrorclix figure, who seemed to fit in so well with these figures that I've included him here.

At the far left of the two photos above is RAF02806 "The Man" - SWAT Team Leader. He is talking into his headset radio and is armed with a 5.56mm Colt M4A1 Assault Carbine. Holstered on his right hip is a 9mm Glock 19 Pistol. "The Man" is quite an imposing figure and stands 35mm tall, measured from the sole of his feet to the top of his head.
Standing next to him is RAF02807 Flanagan - SWAT Team Sergeant. Flanagan is armed and equipped in an identical manner to "The Man" but his carbine has a scopesight fitted to it. I can only assume that Flanagan and "The Man" are bare-headed to make them stand out as team leaders. It makes little sense for them not to wear some form of head protection.
Next in line is RAF02837 SWAT Sniper. His arms and rifle were separate castings and had to be glued in place. His sniper rifle is the 7.62mm Robar SR-60, which is built on the Remington 700 Sniper Rifle. He wears his baseball cap back to front so that the peak doesn't interfere with the scopesight.
The last figure in line is a Horrorclix Field Agent from the original set. This is the Experienced version armed with a disposable rocket launcher. I really ought to replace it with an MP5A SMG or a CAR15 Assault Carbine. He is a very tall and slim figure and scalewise he fit in so well with this range that I keep him as part of my RAFM SWAT crew. Note the five grenades strung across his back. They're probably smoke or tear gas grenades.

These next four figures come from set RAF02808 SWAT Grunts. At the far left is a trooper with a 12 gauge Benelli M1 Pump-Action Shotgun. Note the pistol grip under the slide. His 9mm Glock 19 Pistol is holstered high on his right hip.
Next to him, in a very similar pose is a trooper armed with a 9mm Heckler and Kock MP5A Sub-Machine Gun. Unlike his partner to his right, he does not wear a gasmask. I painted his flesh areas slightly darker than normal to represent a hispanic male... or maybe he's just well tanned.
Third in line is the second trooper to be armed with the 9mm MP5A SMG. He is in a more dramatic pose and is firing his weapon from the shoulder.
Last of all is a trooper firing his 9mm Glock 19 Pistol in a two-handed grip for extra stability. He has his MP5A SMG slung over his back. He wears a Nomex hood but no gasmask.
These are nicely sculpted figures but there are two things that might put some of you off purchasing them. First up is their height. Although RAFM describe this range as being 28mm scale, the reality is that they are closer to 35mm scale. This means that they stand head and shoulders above true 28mm scale figures. I couldn't care less about a few millimetres difference in heights but I know that it is an issue that concerns some of you, so be warned.
The second point that may be a stickler for some of you is their price. These figures are not the cheapest on the market. The SWAT Leader, Sergeant and Sniper cost $4.95 each. The SWAT Grunts are better value at $11.95 for all four figures. The Horrorclix Field Agent is, sadly, long out of production but can still be found on various on-line auction sites like e-Bay.
EDIT: Shortly after posting this I removed the Horrorclix figures rocket launcher and replaced it with an MP5A SMG. He looks much more like a SWAT Trooper now.

24 comments:

  1. These are very nice, and well painted, as usual. I think I like "The Man" best. That's a very cool sculpt. I didn't know RAFM minis were so big. It looks like they scale in well with Clix minis, for me, that's a plus. Price is a little off-putting, though. Thanks for another great review.

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    1. Thanks, Joe. You can see just how well they fit in with Horrorclix figures from my first two photos. I agree with you about the price, which is even worse when you factor in postage to the U.K.

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  2. I agree with Joe, The Man is really great. Perfect pose for a leader. AT rocket launcher seems a bit wrong, but you never know when you have to blow a BA worm or two!

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    1. Thanks, Mathyoo. That rocket launcher bugged me so much when I was typing in my review that I've done what I said I was going to do - got rid of it and replaced it with an MP5A SMG. As for BA Worms, I have no intention of including them in my ATZ camapaign. Ever!

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    2. Heh, I totally understand you with the worms. I don't think they'd fit right with zombies, either. I support the use of ragers, but even smart zombies are on the edge of "acceptable" for me, let alone worms. But I will surely try them in standalone game once, heh.

      And about the rocket launcher, don't forget to post new pictures once its done! :)

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    3. I'm not a big fan of Ragers but I can accept smart zombies. BA Worms are far too out of place for my campaign. I still haven't made up my mind about Psykers. If I do include them, they won't appear for a long time. Ditto smart zombies.

      I'll post a couple of pictures of my converted Horrorclix SWAT Trooper when I post my Monthly Musings next week, okay? He's actually finished already. Yes, that didn't take long!

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  3. Nice work Vamp. I like this stuff!

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  4. Nicely done Bryan. I do like a lot of the RAFM USX but I don't think they would mix to well with my other stuff. Nice to see the comparison with the clix mini he does fit right in.

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    1. Simon, from what I've seen of your figure collection, these guys will tower over them. RAFM and Hasslefree (for example) are not a good mix.

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    2. I quite fancied Hammer the Biker. But they have some RAFM USX oddments in my local shop and like you said they don't compare well. I think its the long legs TBH. But I can't be bothered to try and shorten them it seems pointless and a wasted effort.

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    3. You're probably doing the right thing by leaving well alone, Simon. As for trying to shorten these guys, all I can say is, don't! It can only end in tears.

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  5. Brilliant! These are really good, so much more character in these I think.

    Well done yet again mate!

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    1. Many thanks, Johmmy. There is a lot of character in these figures, especially with "The Man."

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  6. Great job Bryan. Sniper is my fave, looks perfect to be perched on a rooftop.

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    1. Thanks, Adam. That was my idea with the sniper, which is why his rifle is pointing downwards.

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  7. Nice work Vampifan, they look good, like the Leader mini, looks the part.

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    1. Thanks, The Extraordinarii. The SWAT Leader is my favourite as well.

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  8. I'm not convinced by these, it's the lack of helmets I think and whilst some are great poses others look a bit "wooden" to me and remind me of Sudio Miniatures survivors (which I really dislike); the fact that they are "oversized" or "heroic" (?)28mm would also mean that they wouldn't be on my shopping list.
    Paintjob excellent as always.

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    1. Thanks for being so honest, Joe. When I posted this review I fully expected a few negative comments. I knew their height would be a turn off for some viewers. Well, if these guys aren't to your taste, I think you'll like the West Wind SWAT Teams a lot better. I'll be reviewing them very soon.

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  9. The have some great poses for the most part, and are a good addition to your seemingly endless supply of SWAT members. Not sure I am as big a fan of these as the Foundry sets, but they offer a nice variety.

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    1. I haven't finished reviewing my collection of SWAT Troopers just yet, Adam. I think the Foundry range scores over this range in terms of numbers and scale. However, RAFM scores over Foundry in having "proper" SWAT weapons and no female troopers.

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  10. Big buggers but very usable though.....

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