M274 1/2 Ton Weapons Carrier

The M274 Willys "Mechanical Mule" is a platform-type infantry weapons carrier with full-time four-wheel-drive. Extensively used in Vietnam, the Mule was designed for Army and Marine use in forward areas of offensive movements. With its long 95-inch platform, low profile and weight-carrying capabilities, the M274 helped take the load off the infantryman's back. Sadly, the Mule was also utilized to transport dead and wounded soldiers back to field hospitals. Although predominantly a cargo-carrying vehicle, the Mule has mounts for a 106mm recoilless rifle with six missiles.

The mule is capable of landing hard on its wheels or upside down from a helicopter transport drop and drive off unscathed, being driven from a riding, walking or crawling position, fording streams 18 inches deep, climbing or descending a 60% grade, carrying 1000 pounds, running on sand, rocks or other terrain at speeds up to 25 mph, and becoming a four-wheeled trailer for high-speed road travel.

Willys built the first prototype in '53 under a development contract with the U.S. Army. Production began in '57, with vehicles going to the Army and to the Marines. Willys built 2,452 up to '60, and 1,905 from '62-'64.

Specifications

Length: 118 in.

Width: 46 in.

Height: 28 in.

Weight: 870 lbs.

Range: 90-150 miles

Engine: Willys AO-4-53 air-cooled, 53-cubic-inch, four-cylinder, horizontal opposed

Transmission: high/low range transfer case- three forward speeds/one reverse

Performance:

Speed: 25 mph in High gear/ 1mph in Low gear

Power: 17 hp, 40 ft./lb. of torque

Carrying capacity: 1000 lbs.