Mules Muster in Ohio

This year’s Findlay Show was another fun-packed event, enhanced by good weather that encouraged a high vehicle turnout. Besides loads of MVs, the show featured two Hueys, the usual flame thrower demos, plenty of vendors, lots of re-enactors and a battle, plus this year’s much-anticipated Mule Muster. It would be hard to give an exact number of M274s in attendance. A total of 24 took part in the group photo, but there were many more still scattered around the camp. It was the second year the show had a theme, and it again proved to be very successful.

As with last year’s “MUTT March” theme, Mule owners responded positively to the new challenge, flooding the fairgrounds with M274s. Attendees like Mike Mark from Marion, IN, and Tom Price from Bowling Green, OH employed them as utilitarian shopping carts, while others took the opportunity to explore the entire show grounds with their military vehicle version of a golf cart. There were some people who only brought their Mule, or Mules for the theme, but it seemed that many found the size of the M274 convenient enough to bring one along with their other MVs. It also appeared that smaller vehicles in general were more plentiful than their deuce and 5-ton cousins this year, which could be related somehow.

The M274 Mule is a half-ton, four-wheel drive utility platform truck that originated in a 1944 Willys design for a medical evacuation litter carrier. The idea slowly evolved until the introduction of the M274 in 1956. Originally produced by Willys, it was also manufactured by Bowen McLaughlin York, Baifield Industries, and Brunswick until 1970. In total, 11,240 M274 Mules were produced in six variants: M274, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5. The M274 and A1 models used the four-cylinder Willys AO4-4-53 four-cycle engine, while the others came with a two-cylinder Continental-Hercules two-cycle engine. They were widely used in a number of roles during the Vietnam War, and into the 1980s, proving capable and popular with troops, and current MV collectors.

Mule Muster festivities culminated Saturday afternoon with a parade of M274s that ended up in the arena for the group photo shoot. Spirits were high, and it seemed everyone enjoyed seeing all the Mules assembled in formation. After the group photos were complete, a spontaneous session of parade laps around the arena erupted, which gradually increased in speed as the laps went by. (Insert giggles, screams and laughter here; whether you were watching or participating, everyone had a good time!)

Along with all the Mules, there were plenty of other vehicles to see. Key among these were the M4A3E8 Sherman tank from the Lima Historical Society and several half-tracks, including an M3A1 owned by Indiana’s Mike Mark. Another certain highlight was the 1918 Mack Model AC 5.5-ton truck displayed by Jason Davis. It was remarkable to see a vehicle built to serve U.S. and British forces during WWI still in running condition.

As usual for the Findlay Show, the variety of vehicles on display was outstanding, with a good mix of war-time and post-war items along with some foreign subjects, which included a Kubelwagen, a Schwimmwagen and an Austin Champ. Other notable vehicles attending were an LVT4, M26 Pacific, M20 armored car, LST landing craft, M578 recovery vehicle, Studebaker US6 WWII deuce, and many others, plus lots of jeeps and several nice Dodges.

The best aspect of this show, however, is the human one. The vehicles are wonderful, but it’s really the people — our friends and contacts in the hobby that make it a personal and memorable experience. After 36 years, with its central location, and dedication to the lifestyle, whether it’s interacting with the vendors or meeting up with old friends, the Findlay Show continues to sit at the crossroads of the military vehicle hobby.