M274 Military "Mule"

[Larry in MO]

It seems to me that I someone on this forum had a military vehicle of some sort. I wonder how many strange people there may be that enjoy pouring money in both Airstreams and old military vehicles?

The picture is of a 60's M274. It is an A5 (for your purists) and was the last model made. About 10,000 were made and shipped to SE Asia in the late 50's and 60's. I've been told that many, many of them were left there.

For all I know, I might have driven it 40+ years ago before I bought it from another old veteran in Kansas. It's a hoot to drive and Earl, the Golden Retriever, is the commander on some of our missions.

[Smokin Camel]

Wow that brings back memories of my first hitch with the 82nd ABN DIV.

I still remember popping wheelies with mules, not to mention the behind the motor pool dirt races thinly disguised as training. Not that I ever participated in an abuse of equipment like that

[Goin camping]

Larry, You are not alone.

Current inventory includes a 1942 MB that was issued to the U.S.M.C. and a 1953 Air Force Dodge M43 ambulance.

[rseagle]

I hope you can retrofit it with an airbag!

[Larry in MO]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

Larry, You are not alone.

Current inventory includes a 1942 MB that was issued to the U.S.M.C. and a 1953 Air Force Dodge M43 ambulance.

I'm on the trail of an M151A1. If that deal comes through, I'll have two vehicles on which I can mount a 106 recoilless rifle. You never know when you might need one!

Was it your picture of someone driving an MB up onto a pickup truck?

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by Larry in MO

I'm on the trail of an M151A1. If that deal comes through, I'll have two vehicles on which I can mount a 106 recoilless rifle. You never know when you might need one!

Was it your picture of someone driving an MB up onto a pickup truck?

I haven't posted any pictures of my MV's.

I have the Browning 1919. Now I'm looking for a mount. Think of it as "Rat Patrol light."

[Mexray]

WOW, haven't seen a 'Mule' for years...I looked into buying one as surplus years ago and was told that the military wouldn't sell them as surplus to the general public...due to their unique handling, was the excuse, as I remember!!!

Yours is truly a collectors item, I'd say...

[Larry in MO]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

I haven't posted any pictures of my MV's.

I have the Browning 1919. Now I'm looking for a mount. Think of it as "Rat Patrol light."

Well, just post away! 1919, huh? That would look good on the MB. I used to have all the Parts for an A4. All the parts but an FFL, it seemed. Apparently, the wristwatch communicators felt it was the most important part.

I considered an M-60 as it would be a nice period accessory. (Once one figured out that there are 5 or 6 parts that can be installed upside down or backwards it's not a bad weapon-see my signature below). I probably should find one that has been de-milled this time.

[Larry in MO]

Originally Posted by Mexray

WOW, haven't seen a 'Mule' for years...I looked into buying one as surplus years ago and was told that the military wouldn't sell them as surplus to the general public...due to their unique handling, was the excuse, as I remember!!!

The "unique handling" was why our unit finally got the A5's and they took the older ones away from us. The earlier ones had 4 wheel steering and were, in a word, dangerous. They were easy to flip and the magnesium beds added to the fun in a fire.

We used them to haul ammo and rockets from the rearmpit to the revetments. Under those conditions they were safe. Add some ba muoi ba and things changed considerably.

[47WeeWind]

Over the decades I have owned a variety of WW II Dodge 3/4 ton WC military trucks: Weapon Carrier, Carryall, Ambulance and Command Cars. Presently a 1945 MB-Navy Basic waterproof Marine Corps radio jeep delivered 10-10-45, and a pilot model 1945 Dodge T-233 3/4 ton 4X4 Utility Truck delivered about December 1945 reside in the garage. While my 1992 Dodge diesel pickup has been in the shop recently, I've been driving my 1947 Dodge Power Wagon, a real truck's truck.

[easyride]

They wouldn`t issue the Mule to us,because we were a transportation co.,so we had to steal ours.Found a flat bed loaded with about 6 of them that the 173rd AB forgot to unload and we just happened to have a bobtail running with our convoy.We had a real ball with them,though a few roll overs were known to happen,after dropping the trailer in someone else`s motor pool.Of course after a few weeks they took them away from us,and went crazy trying to find out who hey belonged to.Dave

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by Larry in MO

Well, just post away! 1919, huh? That would look good on the MB. I used to have all the Parts for an A4. All the parts but an FFL, it seemed. Apparently, the wristwatch communicators felt it was the most important part.

I considered an M-60 as it would be a nice period accessory. (Once one figured out that there are 5 or 6 parts that can be installed upside down or backwards it's not a bad weapon-see my signature below). I probably should find one that has been de-milled this time.

Switch a side plate and a few bits and you have a semi auto belt fed.

A whole lot easier to own and cheaper to shoot.

[Airslide]

Originally Posted by Larry in MO

I'm on the trail of an M151A1. If that deal comes through, I'll have two vehicles on which I can mount a 106 recoilless rifle. You never know when you might need one!

Was it your picture of someone driving an MB up onto a pickup truck?

Yup.. that was me. We also have a mule in our group. I will try to find a picture of that too.

Vinnie

[Jim & Susan]

I've never heard of a 1/4 ton referred to as an "MB", what does that designation stand for?

Jim

[Airslide]

Heres a little exerpt from the History of the Jeep,

Overland, Bantam and Ford’s Jeep models summed up that they each had their own strengths and weaknesses. Ford was working on a redesigned prototype called the Ford GP and Willy’s had a new prototype called the MA. After further testing around July 1941, Willy’s came out on top with a contract for 16,000 revised MA models. The new MA models were known as the MB models. It is ironic because the contract for 16,000 Jeep vehicles almost went to Ford for the simple reason that they had the production capability superior to anybody at the time

[Jim & Susan]

Got it. So a GP/MA/MB variant basically refers to an "original" Jeep. That would be a cool find.

Jim

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

I've never heard of a 1/4 ton referred to as an "MB", what does that designation stand for?

Jim

Two companies produced the vast majority of jeeps during WWII. Ford and Willy's.

Fords were known as GPW's and Willy's were MB's. Both were built to the same pattern and specs.

Bantam who came up with the original winning design had no real ability to build the numbers needed so they got the consolation prize of building jeep trailers.