M274 1/2-tons 4×4 lastbil - Fotos og videoer

M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck
Land	Usa
Rolle	1⁄2 ton (454 kg) 4×4 ladvogn
Produceret	1956-1970
Varianter	M274A1, A2, A3, A4

Det amerikanske militær M274 lastbil, platform, hjælpeprogram, 1/2 ton, 4X4 eller "Carrier, Light Weapons, Infantry, 1/2 ton, 4×4", også kendt som "Muldyr", "Military Mule" eller "Mechanical Mule", er et 4-hjulstræk, benzindrevet lastbil / traktor type køretøj, der kan bære op til 1/2 tons off-road. Det blev introduceret i 1956 og brugt indtil 1980'erne.

Kilde: M274 Mule på Wikipedia

M274 1/2-tons 4×4 lastbil
Fotograf	Vladimir Yakubov
Lokalisering	MVCC Camp Delta
Billeder	85

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The Unstoppable “Mechanical Mule” of Vietnam Infantry Operations

Den M274 ½-ton 4×4 Utility Platform Truck—universally known in military parlance as the “Mechanical Mule”—was a lightweight, air-mobile cargo vehicle developed in the mid-1950s by Willys-Overland and manufactured by Willys, Bowen-McLaughlin-York, and Baifield Industries for the United States Military. Designed as a bare-bones, highly mobile transport platform to replace draft animals and heavy infantry carts, the M274 was engineered to carry light infantry weapons, ammunition, rations, and wounded casualties over extreme cross-country terrain. Lacking doors, a windshield, or traditional body panels, the vehicle was essentially a motorized flatbed cargo platform on four wheels. Widely deployed throughout the Vietnam War by the US Army and US Marine Corps, the Mechanical Mule established a legendary reputation for rugged mechanical reliability, amphibious parachuting transportability, and versatile tactical utility.

Attribute	Technical Specification (M274 / M274A1 through M274A5)
Rolle	Lightweight Air-Mobile Off-Road Cargo Platform / Infantry Weapon Carrier
Besætning	1 Driver (plus capacity for up to 3 additional passengers or infantrymen)
Kraftværk	Willys 4-cylinder air-cooled petrol (M274/A1, 16 hp) \| Brunswick/HATZ 2-cylinder air-cooled diesel/petrol (M274A2–A5, 14 hp)
Maximum Speed	40 km/h (25 mph) highway speed \| Selectable low-range crawling speeds down to 1.6 km/h (1 mph)
Vehicle Weight & Payload	~400 kg (880 lbs) curb weight \| 454 kg (1,000 lbs / ½-ton) off-road payload capacity
Drivetrain & Steering	4-speed manual transmission with 2-speed transfer case \| Full-time 4×4 with 4-wheel steering (M274 to M274A4)
Dimensions	Length: 3.0 m (118 in) \| Width: 1.2 m (49 in) \| Height: 0.7 m (27.5 in to bed surface)
Armament Options	Pintle-mounted M60 7.62mm, M2HB .50-cal machine guns, M40 106mm recoilless rifles, or TOW missile systems
Chassis Construction	Magnesium alloy deck plate (M274/A1) or aluminum sheet bed with steel tube ladder frame
Production Total	~11,240 units produced across all variants between 1956 and 1970

Design Engineering: Four-Wheel Steering, Adjustable Steering Columns, and Modular Decks

Four-Wheel Steering Maneuverability: Early variants (M274 through M274A4) featured a synchronized four-wheel mechanical steering system connected to both front and rear axles. This provided an exceptionally tight turning radius of just 10 feet (3 meters), allowing the Mule to negotiate dense jungle vegetation, narrow mountain paths, and tight trenches.
Swing-Out Reversible Steering Column: To protect the driver in direct combat environments, the steering column, foot pedals, and operator seat were designed to adjust or disconnect. The driver could unbolt or swing the steering column forward, allowing them to walk or crawl behind the vehicle while operating the throttle and steering controls to use the Mule as a moving armor-shield or weapon mount.
High Ground Clearance and Portal Axles: To clear rocks, logs, and deep jungle mud, the M274 utilized portal axles and high flotation tires. This provided a ground clearance of over 12 inches (30 cm) on an extremely small wheelbase while keeping the overall center of gravity exceptionally low.
Magnesium and Aluminum Structural Construction: In order to meet strict air-drop weight limits for helicopter sling-loading and parachute drops, early M274 decks were cast from ultra-lightweight magnesium alloy. Later variants (M274A5) transitioned to extruded aluminum decks to eliminate magnesium’s susceptibility to saltwater corrosion and intense fire hazards.

Operational History: Firebase Logistics, Recoilless Rifle Mounts, and Replacement

The Logistics Backbone in Vietnam: Introduced right before the escalation of the Vietnam War, the M274 became indispensable to US Marine Corps and US Army air-mobile units (such as the 101st Airborne and 1st Cavalry Division). Operating out of remote artillery Fire Support Bases (FSBs), Mules hauled heavy 105mm artillery shells, mortar rounds, and fuel drums across mud tracks where larger trucks bogged down.
Heavy Direct-Fire Weapon Platform: Beyond transport, troops frequently turned the M274 into a mobile tank destroyer or fire-support vehicle. By mounting M40 106mm recoilless rifles or BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile launchers on the rear deck, light infantry units possessed airborne-capable heavy anti-armor firepower.
Helicopter Air-Mobility Operations: Weighing less than 900 lbs, the Mule could easily be carried internally or sling-loaded underneath CH-34 Choctaw, UH-1 Huey, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, making it possible to drop mobile cargo capability directly into remote landing zones (LZs).
Retirement and Transition to Quad-AVs: The M274 remained in active service through the 1980s before being phased out in favor of the high-mobility HMMWV (Humvee) and specialized light All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs / John Deere Gator M-Gators). Today, the Mechanical Mule remains a favorite among military vehicle collectors due to its iconic shape and simple mechanics.