Necromunda ’95! – “Catachan” Gangers with Lasgun; Meltagun/Flamer (Michael Perry, 1993-4)

Jungle Fighter with Lasgun 1 0437/2, Jungle Fighter with Melta-gun 0437/6, Necromunda 1995, Michael Perry, 1993-4

Here’s the final pair of the metal Catachan models used in my original Necromunda gang. Like the previous pair of Necro-Catachans, this pair was also designed to represent two versions of the same gang member. In this case, a ganger picked up the “specialist” (from memory) skill which then allowed them to use a special weapon (funny, dat!) At this point in time, I don’t think the metal Catachan with flamer was yet released – as the metal IG model ranges of the time each had some of the special and heavy weapons, yet lacked the full range – and so this meant that the closest I could come up with and use was the Meltagun. Either that or I thought that the Flamer design of the day – when seen on humans as opposed to Marines – looked a bit shitty. Because that would also be accurate.

Jungle Fighter with Lasgun 1 0437/2, Jungle Fighter with Melta-gun 0437/6, Necromunda 1995, Michael Perry, 1993-4

If you look at the weapon itself, it looks “close enough” to be used as a flamethrower. To really drive the point home, I did some 1995-level conversion by adding the fuel tank backpack, shoulder straps made from thin card and a fuel line cable from copper wire. His backup lasgun was added to the backpack, in the same way I tended to do with all my Necromunda heavies.

Jungle Fighter with Lasgun 1 0437/2, Jungle Fighter with Melta-gun 0437/6, Necromunda 1995, Michael Perry, 1993-4

As with the last pair, these guys were pretty much painted – though in a 1995 sense. I did touch up a small amount of damage, rebase them entirely, and then repaint a few of the more garish elements – toned down the guns from superbright blue, repainted the fuel line from lime green to striped black and yellow. I mean, we still have forms of all four primary colours here. Just two of them are less eye-meltingly bright now. I did decide to leave the pants in their original state. I’m also not quite sure what that red camo is supposed to blend into, but I digress – just think of them as “fashion” fatigues, the likes you’ve probably seen around at some stage.

While nothing especially outstanding, and still way more garish than I’d do them today, I’m happy to see this pair updated and once again – fully table-ready, 20 years later.