Where did QRF come from?

QRF Models was formed from the merger of LKM Direct, specialising in scenic items and books, and the very successful QRF, specialising in the manufacture of 15mm wargames figures. These two companies had been around for several years previously, slowly working closer and closer together until a merger was inevitable. The merger also incorporated the purchase of a long-established range of figures Freikorps and resulted in a much larger company, LKM Direct Limited (more about that later!) It involved a little reshuffling, as brand identities were established and a HUGE amount of work to revamp the Freikorp range back up to its superb standard.

We receive many comments from people who remember the Freikorp figures from old. The overwhelming comment is, "love the figures, super poses, great detail, but the metal was a little brittle from what I remember"... well no worries, the metal was changed about 6 years before we bought it! We use a softer, less brittle metal, and it is amusing to watch the faces of customers when we drop figures on the floor. They expect to see lots of broken figures, but this VERY rarely happens. So buy with confidence!

In 2004 the previous owner of Feudal Castings decided to sell the range, so we now own this entire range and, incorporating it into our brand plan, it now covers all figures up to 1485, and very nice figures they are too.

Contrary to what some may think, or how it may appear, we remain a small company of wargamers who have taken the next step (for our sins!) and started to produce our own figures. Most of the work is done in our spare time, evenings and weekends, as most of us have full time day jobs. Almost all of the profit (profit? we made a profit?) we make is put back into making more masters and renewing worn moulds...

In 2009 we finally decided not to overly confuse our customers any more, and the company name was changed from LKM Direct Limited to QRF Models Limited.

So, just who is QRF Models now?

QRF Models is officially 5 people - Chas, Paul, Geoff, Les and Jan. Working in the factory we also have Sarah (who you will hear if you ever phone up - but if the voice sounds somewhat deep, you've probably got hold of Chas. I suggest you put him down) and Martin. However we also rely on a small army of friendly helpers, some of whom you may see behind the trade stand at shows from time to time.

In memory of Blackie

To sum it up, the directors can best be described as:

Chas - Chairman of the board, secret mastermind and General Dogsbody, Chas is a trained infantryman with lead in his veins... under his fingernails and often in his hair... He is also into rubber, but that's another story.

Chas is the man behind the day-to-day running of the company. If you phone, you will almost certainly get hold of him. Once you've got hold of him, it is very difficult to know what to suggest you do next. Chas is responsible for shipping out your mail order.

Chas's interests are as wide ranging as his abilities. Chas is possibly capable of answering any questions you may have about where your order is currently now residing.

Paul - The Company Secretary and the man who knows, Paul is the quiet organised one in charge of payments and paperwork. If disorganisation appears, we blame it on Paul. If we don't know, we blame that on Paul too, because he is the man who knows...

Paul's interests may be dubious, but we would never question his abilities.

Geoff - Toxophilist, pilot, scuba diver, designer, resident Russian language trainee and Director of Design, Geoff has the ability to produce just what we didn't even know we were looking for, and get it assembled and on the table in a surprise attack before Chas manages to get it into mould!

Geoff is the man behind the electronic side of the company. If you email, you are talking to Geoff. He is also responsible for the website so if you have any questions relating to this site, email him!

Geoff's abilities are as wide ranging as his interests. Geoff is fully capable of answering any questions you may have about what he intends to build next (but don't tell Chas).

Les - The man on the mission with the tools to match, Les is in charge of show organisation, security and far too many other things to list here. Les is in charge of handling the scenic side of the business.

Les's interests often cross over with his abilities... I should stop there...

Jan - Possibly the real secret behind all the thrones, Jan is a mystery to most of us and rarely seen. However she is very nice, so if you see Jan do say hello.

It wouldn't seem proper to go into Jan's interests or abilities here without asking Paul first.