Fire Mission
1/35 M274 Mule on VN Firebase
Introduction
The M274 Mule was introduced in 1956 to supplement both the 1/4 ton trucks and 3/4 ton trucks (Weapons Carrier Series and M37 series) in airborne and infantry battalions. In 1948 the US Army purchased a small number of test vehicles with the designation the Jungle Burden Carrier for evaluation in jungle warfare and with airborne forces. There were 11,240 Mules produced between their introduction and 1970, when production ceased. They were used throughout as platforms for various weapons systems and for carrying men, supplies, and weaponry/ammunition during the Vietnam War and in other U.S. military operations until the 1980s. As a completely open and exposed vehicle, they offered absolutely no protection to the driver, yet that was relatively unimportant as they were mainly used as cargo carriers and medium-range infantry support vehicles, rather than tactical vehicles. They were phased out from military usage in the 1980s.
The kit
There are two versions of this kit made by Dragon. On has a 106mm recoilless rifle and the other, which I used for this build has some cargo and a crew. I am also using the Eduard PE set for this kit.
The build
This is a simple kit with just one main sprue and a few small parts on another sprue. Here is the basic underside of the vehicle. The first 3 steps have you assemble the axels, drivetrain and engine. I then primed them with Vallejo OD primer and some highlights with Ammo Med rust
After a coat of Testors Marine Green I assembled the underside components.
The top half/cargo bed I primed with Ammo Light Wood. The tires were assembled and painted with a 50/50 mix of NATO & Flat black.
Next was to assemble the cargo railings and adding the gear shifters and brakes up front.
The seat that comes with the kit is very plain and lack detail. I added the PE detail and covered the seat with airplane tissue to give it a fabric look. The seat was painted with Vallejo Medium Green.
One of the things missing from the kit is the engine battery. I scratch made a battery from a resin pour block. Painted flat black and flat red for the caps. The cables are painted 24gage wire.
On the other side is the muffler painted with Ammo Light Rust. The back end is assembled with the engine guard grating.
That is it for now. Next up s weathering and the cargo
As always if you have any comments, please feel free to drop in.
Rounds Complete!!
