introduction

The U.S. Military M274 Truck or Platform, known as the Mechanical Mule, is a 4-wheel drive, gasoline-powered truck/tractor type vehicle that can carry up to a 1/2 ton off-road. It was developed in the 1956 as a light weight cargo carrier to replace both the 1/4-ton jeep and 3/4-ton trucks in infantry and airborne infantry battalions, and used until the 1980s.

The M274 family could be fitted for many infantry tasks including transport of personnel or cargo (keeping pace with foot soldiers), for stringing wire with a cable reel, for carrying patients on stretchers, and as a weapons platform for a recoilless rifle or TOW anti-tank missile. Each wheel had shackles for lifting by helicopter or parachute airdrop. If it landed upside-down, it could be turned over and still be driven away.
The seat and the foot basket can be detached and stored underneath the platform which can then be rigged as a steerable trailer. The steering column could be set in multiple positions so the driver could operate the vehicle from almost any position, including crouching down.

One of the latest releases of BRAVO-6,B6-35079 U.S. Mech Mule Driver includes one sitting figure for this vehicle.

packing &casting

Kit content comes well packed in standard light brown cardboard box labeled with a photo of painted figure. Body part and other small parts like arms and steering wheel are split into two transparent bags. Resin quality is good with no casting mistakes. Details are clean and sharp. No need for a serious cleanwork, just a few seamlines on the arms.

figure

Figure is sculpted by Vladimir Demchenko in 1/35 scale and cast in grey resin. It comes in 4 pieces; Body, seperate arms and steering wheel.

Posed to drive/sit on the driver seat of M274, main part is body with head. Facial details and hair are well represented. He wears tropical jungle uniform of jacket with two chest and two lower bellows pockets - all with flap covers, trousers and canvas-leather combined Vibram boots. Trotters are inserted into boots. Uniform details, wrinkles and folds are well defined.

Arms with upfolded sleeves are posed to hold the steering wheel. They make good fit to shoulders.

Steering wheel

conclusion

Useful figure for Dragon 3315 and 3317 Mechanical Mule kits. Nice sculpt and cast.