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M274 4x4 1/2 Ton Utility Truck

"Mechanical Mule"


Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by: USA and others
First Produced/Service Dates: 1956-1970 (Built) but used into the 1980’s
Manufactured by: Willys Overland (see below)
Crew: 1 (Armed vehicles had additional crew members depending on weapon)
Armament: Not normally armed.  However, could easily be fitted with 7.62mm Machine Gun, 12.7mm Heavy MG, M40 106mm recoilless rifle (w/ .50 cal spotting rifle) and TOW ATGM systems.  There are even reports it carried the M134 Mini-gun.
Engine: (4) Cylinder (M274 &A1)
(2) Cylinder (A2-A5 Models)
Miscellaneous Info: The official designation of the vehicle was initially "Carrier, Light Weapons, Infantry, 1/2 ton, 4x4, M274" and later "Truck, Platform, Utility, 1/2 ton 4x4,M274", it was more commonly called the "Mechanical Mule". Willys Overland designed and built the first Mules (M274 and A1 versions).  However, other companies built later models including Bowen-McLaughlin-York (M274A3 & A4), Baifield Industries and Brunswick (both M274A5).
Data Sheet Available:   XM274 Mule Specifcation Sheet (1954 -Aberdeen Proving Ground)

Photos

Reference Source/Provider
  XM274 Mule Characteristics Sheet US Military via Dave Haugh - Content Editor
M274 Mule 1/2 ton 4x4 Utility Truck Photos (Unarmed) US Military via Dave Haugh
M274 Mule 1/2 ton 4x4 Utility Truck Photos (Unarmed) Technical Manual Photos US Military via Dave Haugh
M274 Mule with M40A1 106mm Recoilless Rifle Photos US Military via Dave Haugh
M274A5 Mule with 106mm Recoilless Rifle Photos Mark Aldrich - IPMS/USA Tacoma Green Dragons (Washington)
  M274 Mule with TOW 1 ATGM System Photos US Military via Dave Haugh
M274A5 Mule Military Standards Sheet US Military via Dave Haugh
    Spanish M274 Mule with 120mm Mortar Photos US Military via Dave Haugh

References Available

Online

Reference Source/Provider
M274 Mechanical Mule Information & Photos M274 Army Mules Website
M274 Mechanical Mule Information & Photos Mechanical Mules of America Website
M274 Mechanical Mule Information & Photos Olive Drab.com
M274 Mechanical Mule Photos (via David Lueck) Prime Portal

Printed

Reference Author
  "Mechanical Mule" (November 2023 Issue of Classic Military Vehicle Magazine) Robbie McGuire
"Mechanical Mule, The" (January 2019 Issue of Classic Military Vehicle Magazine) John Teasdale
US Military Wheeled Vehicles Fred Crismon

Hobby Modeling

Kits and Accessories

Model Kit Manufacturer Scale Other Information
M274 Mule with 106mm Recoilless Rifle Model Kit and Crew (3315) Dragon Models 1/35 Injection Molded Plastic
M274 Mule Model Kit with Marines (3317) Dragon Models 1/35 Injection Molded Plastic
M274 Mule with Recoilless Rifle Model Kit (5401) Glencoe Models 1/15 Injection Molded Plastic
M274 Mule Model Kit (3514) MiniArt Models 1/35 Resin.
       
Aftermarket Set Manufacturer Scale Other Information
M274 Mule with Recoilless Rifle Detail Set (35643) Eduard 1/35 Stainless Steel Photo Etch; For Dragon Kit
M274 Wheel Masks (XT078) Eduard 1/35 Vinyl; For Dragon Kit

Model Photos

Reference Source/Provider