M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck - AKA "Mechanical Mule"

[Jeffry Fontaine]

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. 


(Image source: Wikipedia > M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck)

[GTX_Admin]

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

[GTX_Admin]

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

[Rickshaw]

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.

[GTX_Admin]

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.

 

[Kerick]

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

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

[ChernayaAkula]

Whoa!  Neat!



SOURCE, including in-progress pics of a restoration build