Grimdark Jungle

The Holy Order Jungle Crusaders

The Holy Order is a fanatical military organization spreading their influence throughout the galaxy. Fighting gruesome conflicts with both other worldly alien forces and other human militaries/insurgencies. The Jungle Crusaders are the Holy Order's premier fighting force for hostile environments. They have been genetically enhanced for increased strength, stamina and durability.

When designing my own sci-fi troopers, I focused on keeping everything realistic and grounded. I personally loved movies like Aliens, the original Star Wars trilogy growing up. They typically would take real world items and add on small details to make everything seem futuristic. The iconic pulse rifle being built from a Thompson and many of the original Star Wars blasters were also built from WWII weapons. With my troopers I envisioned troops from Vietnam mixed with 80's action hero's and given a little sci-fi flare. My plasma rifle design was heavily inspired by the FN FAL. It is also important that their gear and uniforms make sense. Each pouch serves a specific purpose and carries mission essential equipment. 

The Jungle Crusaders typically operate in squads of 10 men. 

Riflemen

At the heart of this squad is the rifleman. Armed with a phased plasma rifle with 40 watt range. It virtually has unlimited ammo provided they do not overheat the power pack. Extra power packs are carried in the rifleman's kit just in case.

IMAGE (6 Jungle Crusader Riflemen)

Support Troopers

A majority of the squad's firepower comes from two soldiers armed with special weaponry. Depending on this mission this can include flamethrowers, multi-shot grenade launcher, a disposable quad barrel rocket launcher, heavy machine gun or minigun.

IMAGE (flamethrower, grenade launcher and heavy machine gun)

IMAGE (minigun)

The minigun feeds from an ammo backpack, capable of firing thousands of rounds before needing to reload.

IMAGE (Commando launcher)

The quad barrel disposable rocket launcher allows for multiple anti armor rockets to be fired in rapid succession. For certain missions a squad of crusaders may carry in sevral of these disbursed throughout the team.

NCO

The NCO leads the squad into battle. It is Jungle Crusader tradition that the strongest soldier is the leader. At any time anyone in the squad can challenge the NCO for leadership. It is also tradition that the NCO leads from the front. This means he always takes point.

IMAGE (NCO)

Observer

Carries the squad radio and acts as second in command to the NCO. The Observer relays the NCO's orders to call in deadly artillery and air support.

Paint Schemes

The Jungle crusaders organizationally are comprised of many different units. You can of course create your own color schemes. Below are a few I have come up with.

419th Battalion "Death Dealers"

IMAGE (419th "Death Dealers" (Green camo w/ camo paint))

75th Battalion "Commando Elite"

IMAGE (Small Soldiers style paint scheme)

44th Battalion "The Vipers"

IMAGE (Desert scheme)

32nd Battalion "The Terrible Ones"

IMAGE (Rhodesian Scheme)

What's in the Modular Infantry Squad kit?

IMAGE (All parts)

IMAGE Weapon Options

IMAGE Gear Options

IMAGE Bodies

IMAGE Head Options

Casualties Set

Do you have to paint your entire army twice? Well, yes. But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Casualties add so much immersion to your wargaming session. Each time a model is killed off simply place down one of the casualties and by the end of your session the entire table is littered with bodies!

IMAGE (all casualty poses)

IMAGE (painted casualties mid wargame)

IMAGE (painted casualties mid wargame)

Vehicle Crew Set

The vehicle crew set includes some modular crew men to kitbash with your favorite vehicles.

IMAGE (All crew options)

IMAGE (painted crew)

IMAGE (painted crew)

HQ Squad

Every great Jungle Crusader Platoon needs an HQ squad to lead them into battle. This set will include parts so you can build a platoon commander, banner bearer, sniper, TACP and bodyguards.

IMAGE (All HQ options)

IMAGE (Painted HQ squad)

Heavy Weapons Team

The heavy weapons team includes a modular crew and 4 different weapon options including a heavy machine gun, mortar, laser guided missile and heavy laser machine gun.

IMAGE (Heavy MG)

IMAGE (Mortor)

IMAGE (TOW missile)

IMAGE (Heavy laser MG)

Artillery Team

The Artillery team includes a modular crew and 3 different weapon options including a Heavy Mortar, Heavy Anti Tank Cannon and Rocket Pods

IMAGE (Heavy Mortor)

IMAGE (Anti Tank Cannon)

IMAGE (Rocket Pods)

Vehicle Stowage/Diorama Bits Pack

This pack will include LOADS of vehicle stowage and bits to spice up your vehicles, dioramas and bases.

Sandbags

IMAGE (Options 1)

Packs

IMAGE (Options 2)

Crates, Ammo Boxes and Containers

IMAGE (Options 3)

Tents and Rolls

IMAGE (Options 4)

Improvised Armor 

IMAGE (Options 5)

Scale Comparison

Our soldiers will fit right in with all your favorite sci-fi ranges. All you kit-bashers will also find endless use with our kits.

IMAGE (Warhammer Guardsman, Stargrave, Austin Miniatures, Wargames Atlantic)

Pledge Levels

Whether you want to build a couple squads to add some flare to your existing army or use our range to field an entirely unique army, we have you covered. All of your files will be provided via our GUMROAD store. After the funding is complete, you will be messaged a code to our Gumroad store. From there you will simply be able to add the minis to your cart, enter the code and checkout completely free. Below is a breakdown of our pledge levels.

Infantry Squad $20

This pledge includes the Jungle Crusader Squad STL's. Any stretch goals that get unlocked will be available as purchasable add-ons.

Support Squad $40

This pledge includes the heavy weapons squad and artillery team STL's. Any stretch goals that get unlocked will be available as purchasable add-ons.

Early Bird $80

Available only for the first 3 days of the campaign, this pledge includes all STL's from the campaign AND any stretch goals unlocked completely free.

All In! $100

This pledge includes all STL's from the campaign AND any stretch goals unlocked completely free.

Stretch Goals

If our campaign goal is reached, we will begin adding on other stretch goals. These additional squads should have a little something for everyone. For you All In and Early Bird backers, these will be added to your pledge completely free. For everyone else, these will become purchasable add on's.

Vehicle Stowage/Diorama Bits Pack (unlocked at $3,000)

This pack will include LOADS of vehicle stowage and bits to spice up your vehicles, dioramas and bases.

Sandbags

IMAGE (Options 1)

Packs

IMAGE (Options 2)

Crates, Ammo Boxes and Containers

IMAGE (Options 3)

Tents and Rolls

IMAGE (Options 4)

Improvised Armor 

IMAGE (Options 5)

Kommando Squad (Unlocked at $3,500)

The Kommandos are elite airborne units. For their design, imagine futuristic WWII Fallschirmjager armed with a sci-fi looking G36 rifle. And of course gas masks!

Winter Crusaders (Unlocked at $4,000)

The Winter Crusaders are the opposite of the Jungle Crusaders. They also operate in hostile environments, but cold ones. These guys will be inspired by winter Soviet troops from the second world war.

Terror Crusaders (Unlocked at $5,000)

The terror crusaders are a rag tag group of insurgents and traitors to the Holy Order. They wear crude improvised armor and an iconic metal skull helmet. These fanatic savages take no prisoners and leave nothing but destruction in their path.

Crusader Drop Troopers (Unlocked at $6,000)

The Crusader Drop Troopers are a specialized infantry unit that uses jet packs to maneuver on the enemy and destroy them. 

People's Vote (Unlocked at $10,000)

If we meet this stretch goal, we will create a heavy weapons team for one of the above 4 factions.

Why Support Austin Miniatures?

We are a small family owned company focused on bringing you detailed and dynamic miniatures. We are collectors first. We just want to create cool miniatures. 

Also, this project is brought to you 100% free of any AI slop. Every piece of art, paint job and sculpt was made by humans!

Where to find Austin Miniatures

www.austinminiatures.com

austinminiatures.gumroad.com

Instagram: @austinminiatures

Facebook: Austin Miniatures

YouTube: Austin Miniatures (Link to Jungle Crusader Painting Tutorial)