For minion 1, look into Savage Species for the Feral template. It gives claw attacks, rend damage, pounce, and a whole lot of other stuff. It scales based on HD, and class levels are HD. A feral ANY race would work well, and you could build it like a Barb1/Fighter4/FrenizedBerzerker10 or whatever. Alternative, Barb2/Fighter2/Duskblade2/SuelArcanamachX would allow him to actually CAST Mirror Image and Greater Mirror Image, but that won't be till ~ECL12 or so.
Minion 2 is definitely a Cleric or Druid5/StormlordX. Its in Complete Divine, IIRC, and does exactly what you want, minus the big sword. Still, could be a big spear, and then he tosses lightning empowered javelins (free from the class!). Maybe like Aasimar as a base race, they are celestial descendants and the wis bonus is good for a druid or cleric.
Minion 3 would could be any undead with the Swarmshifter template added. You can find it in Libris Mortis(The Book of Bad Latin) near the end. Slap it on something like a mummy or ghast or other medium leveled undead and then advance with class levels.
Sound fun?