1/35 M274 Mule on VN Firebase, WIP, 9/1/14, Complete

redleg12

Member since
July 2006
From: New Jersey

1/35 M274 Mule on VN Firebase, WIP, 9/1/14, Complete

Posted by redleg12 on Sunday, July 13, 2014 8:52 PM

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!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

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stikpusher

Member since
July 2004
From: Sonora Desert

Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, July 13, 2014 9:45 PM

Ah the Mule... This will be a neat project to watch. I have built the kit with the 106mm recoiless. Fun little build!

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

- Plankton

LSM

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, July 13, 2014 10:42 PM

It looks good. I took a handful of digital photos of one they had at Knox a few years back. I took more using my 35mm but haven't digitized them. The one they had was a runner, but I didn't notice a battery. Might be a different version. I know one version was able to pivot the driver's platform down so the driver didn't need to be seated and could control the vehicle while he was crouched beside it or walking next to it.

http://gallery3.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/17151

Tags: M274 Mule

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redleg12

Member since
July 2006
From: New Jersey

Posted by redleg12 on Monday, July 14, 2014 5:22 AM

Stick - Thanks, yep exactly what I thought a quick little build

Rob - Nice picture. Looks well restored. I forget but I think all of the Mules could have the driver either walking or seated. Like the added underside rack for ammo cans. Thanks for the pic and for stopping by.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

Reply

Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Monday, July 14, 2014 8:52 AM

There are nine photos total at that link (didn't hot link for some reason) above the picture.

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redleg12

Member since
July 2006
From: New Jersey

Posted by redleg12 on Monday, July 14, 2014 7:52 PM

Rob - Thanks

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

Reply

wbill76

Member since
July 2004
From: Texas

Posted by wbill76 on Sunday, July 20, 2014 6:53 PM

Nice little project Mike! Look forward to seeing this Mule get fully loaded up. Yes

BP Models

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redleg12

Member since
July 2006
From: New Jersey

Posted by redleg12 on Monday, July 21, 2014 5:25 AM

Bill, thanks for the peek and for the comment.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

Reply

redleg12

Member since
July 2006
From: New Jersey

Posted by redleg12 on Monday, September 1, 2014 4:01 PM

This has been a long summer but finally had a chance to sit down and finish this little guy. The weathering is a mix of NATO Wash from AK and Mig Viet Nam Earth Pigment…mostly the pigment.

The powder cans are resin cast. The decals are also custom with the correct markings for M6 175mm powder. They are painted with Vallejo OD primer.

The ammunition cans are from AFV and painted with Poly Scale Med Green. The side decals are from Archer Transfers.

The C ration box is custom after some photo shop work and printing on thin brown cardboard. The box is tied with 26 gauge SS wire.

So with all that said, here is the finished Beans & Bullets M274 Mule.

Back view

Passenger side

Front view

That’s if for this little guy. Moving on to the M53 Self Propelled Gun in Viet Nam next.

As always if you have any comments, please feel free to drop in.

Rounds Complete!!

EOM

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

Reply

SprueOne

Member since
January 2006
From: California

Posted by SprueOne on Monday, September 1, 2014 5:05 PM

Nice little model with a red dusty finish.

Are the decals on the powder cans complete wrap arounds. They look great. I can't even see any silvering or edges

Anyone with a good car don't need to be justified - Hazel Motes

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redleg12

Member since
July 2006
From: New Jersey

Posted by redleg12 on Monday, September 1, 2014 6:01 PM

Sprue

Yep, I custom made them to be complete wrap around and from the top can lid to the expansion bar below so no seam can be seen. Lettering on the decal is for the M6 175mm Gun powder increments.

Thanks for the peek and for the comments.

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."

Reply

the doog

Member since
January 2007

Posted by the doog on Monday, September 1, 2014 8:04 PM

Outstanding, Mike! All you need now is a figure to complete the look!

It would be a perfect "cherry on top"!

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CapnMac82

Member since
November 2005
From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas

Posted by CapnMac82 on Monday, September 1, 2014 10:56 PM

That's gorgeous work, and I really like the differentiation in the various greens--that Medium Green is so good for that unique green on the ammo cans.

I might have put a Marmite can where the c-rats box is; maybe a mail sak atop the powder tubes. But, that's just my 2¢

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redleg12

Member since
July 2006
From: New Jersey

Posted by redleg12 on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 5:09 AM

Karl - Thanks my friend.... someday I will try a figgy again....as you know figures are just not my thing. Alsways great to have you stop in.

Capn - Thanks for the comments. Always try to keep my greens straight but they do vary....yep the med green is a good ammo can match. Ahhh the Mermite with three cans of hot food! As for the C ration, there was the fruit cake and the John Wayne chocolate bar!! Thanks again

Rounds Complete!!

"The Moral High Ground....A Great Place to Emplace Artillery."