Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Land => Topic started by: Jeffry Fontaine on March 18, 2023, 05:56:00 AM

Title: M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck - AKA "Mechanical Mule"
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on March 18, 2023, 05:56:00 AM

My infatuation with this vehicle started at a very early age thanks to the old U.S. Army propaganda series on television that I used to enjoy watching as a young kit while living in Panama back in the early sixties.  I always thought the concept of such a versatile vehicle was a great idea that the Army managed to acquire and put to good use in helping the infantry move around while carrying the heavier loads and keeping everything "mobile" or so I thought.  In later years and having discussions with people that used to operate these marvelous little vehicles I learned that they were a real maintenance nightmare and not something that could be relied upon to get your stuff from point A to point B.  That being said, I still like the vehicle and the idea behind what it was supposed to do in helping the soldier carry the heavy things. 

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/M274_drawing.jpg/300px-M274_drawing.jpg)
(Image source: Wikipedia > M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M274_%C2%BD-ton_4%C3%974_utility_platform_truck))

Title: Re: M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck - AKA "Mechanical Mule"
Post by: GTX_Admin on March 19, 2023, 01:22:20 AM

More than a few kits out there too...and in multiple scales:

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/e68/GTwiner/Image_19-3-2023_at_3.19_am.jpeg)

Title: Re: M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck - AKA "Mechanical Mule"
Post by: GTX_Admin on March 19, 2023, 01:22:43 AM

Or you can buy an example of the real thing:  https://www.allsurplus.com/asset/74/17141 (https://www.allsurplus.com/asset/74/17141)

Title: Re: M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck - AKA "Mechanical Mule"
Post by: Rickshaw on March 19, 2023, 12:08:59 PM

I understand that when first adopted they used to drop them from aircraft with their crews strapped into their seats.  That practice discontinued after the first few overturned on landing.

Title: Re: M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck - AKA "Mechanical Mule"
Post by: GTX_Admin on March 20, 2023, 01:17:47 AM

Quote from: Rickshaw on March 19, 2023, 12:08:59 PM

I understand that when first adopted they used to drop them from aircraft with their crews strapped into their seats.  That practice discontinued after the first few overturned on landing.

 :o

Title: Re: M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck - AKA "Mechanical Mule"
Post by: Kerick on March 20, 2023, 03:56:56 AM

Quote from: GTX_Admin on March 19, 2023, 01:22:43 AM

Or you can buy an example of the real thing:  https://www.allsurplus.com/asset/74/17141 (https://www.allsurplus.com/asset/74/17141)

And it sold for $5,000! Not for me.

Title: Re: M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck - AKA "Mechanical Mule"
Post by: ChernayaAkula on March 21, 2023, 06:59:47 AM

Whoa!  :icon_surprised: Neat!

(https://www.militarytrader.com/.image/t_share/MTc3NTM3OTQwMTM2NjY2NjMy/fig-2red.jpg)

SOURCE (https://www.militarytrader.com/military-vehicles/dont-wanna-be-kicked-by-this-mule), including in-progress pics of a restoration build