Saturday 3 March 2018

Oldhammer Catachan Jungle Fighters - 1994 Models

After I finished off last week’s Primaris Marines I decided it was high-time for something a bit more Oldhammer! 

This I’ve spent the last week or so painting up some old school 1994 Catachans from the second edition of Warhammer 40,000.




These really are lovely sculpts that are absolutely full of character and strong visual imagery. In fact it is fair to say that each one of them successfully conveys the appearance of the bastard love child of John Rambo and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character from Commando (Matrix).



I have a strong love for metal models as they are so much weightier and more substantial compared to the plastic and resin figures that fill today’s miniature market place.

I went for a plasma gun for the squad’s special weapon as I have started to really enjoy painting the plasma coils on these distinctive guns.



A real bonus for me is that due to their distinctive attire (specifically the headbands and t-shirts) these models actually fit nicely alongside the Orlock Necromunda range from the same period. 

As such these warriors have been painted specifically to fit in with the Orlocks who already make up the Brood Brother element of my growing Genestealer Cult.



This is a massive boon as it greatly increases the models and weapons options that are now available for my cultists. 

Additionally I will now be able to switch between these forces from representing cultists, Guardsman and ad hoc militia in my games.


I’ve only painted up five models initially in order to get used to these sculpts. My flesh painting method is very time intensive (lots of layers to show muscle striations; no washes) but I think that it achieves a distinctive effect that really pops the muscular physique of these warriors.

I think I’ll look at doing some Heavy Weapons next, I just have to check and see what’s in my bitz box!

17 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Cheers mate! I really think these are fantastic sculpts and despite being 24 years old they respond really well to more modern techniques.

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  2. They turned out great! What colors did you use on their flesh?

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    1. Thanks dude. They were all colours from the old citadel range that I still have left over.

      Vermin Brown basecoat
      Vermin Brown/Dwarf Flesh (50/50) highlight
      Dwarf Flesh highlight
      Elf Flesh highlight

      I can do a tutorial at some point if that would help?

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  3. It’s good to see them in any colour other than green - you’ve done a fantastic job on these especially the flesh tones. Time consuming, but worth it.

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  4. I love them so much! Nice work and nice colour bonding with the Orlocks :)

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    1. Thanks Suber! I really like these models and I really enjoyed painting them. They look great next to the Orlocks.

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  5. Very nice paint-job there.

    I agree 100% with the love of characterful models that still manage to function as elements of different forces in the same setting.

    For me that feel of being able to be flexible in the 40K setting was central to the RT era, and yet died off dramatically with the later editions of the game where it was all about army lists and painting guns bright red.

    Necromunda coming back seems to have reignited the interest in the smaller factions and bit-players of the 40K universe.

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    1. Absolutely! While I do play modern 40k for big battles I’m really a skirmish man at heart. As such I love a small scale engagement where the narrative and characters drive the encounter and tell a story. That’s why these guys are so useful as generic expandable ‘muscle’.

      I have a copy of the new Necromunda still on sprues and I’m watching with interest to see how the game develops and how it builds on the success of its predecessors.

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  6. Excellent work! These are great models and you've done a great job with them.

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    1. Thanks mate! I need to knuckle down and paint a full army of these guys!!

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  7. Nice work! I actually prefer your colour scheme to the classic 'Rambo Look' - they really look good painted for an urban environment (as their similarity to the Orlocks suggests!).

    I LOVED the early-mid 90s IG (and Necromunda) figures. The plastic Catachans aren't a patch on these guys.

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    1. Cheers Phil! Yeah I have to say I really think this colour scheme suits these guys nicely! Yep for me the 1990s ranges are the best... back when the game wasn’t as chaotic as Rogue Trader (which I still love) but wasn’t taking itself über-seriously yet!

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  8. I've been contemplating getting some for these, your making it hard not to. LOL I'm really digging the color choices.

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    1. Do it! They are a joy to paint! Thanks mate; I have to say the colours to go together nicely!

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