[Mike K]

Australian Army (National : 1959 -1980), Thursday 10 March 1960, page 1

'MECHANICAL MULE' GETS TOUGH TESTS

The revolutionary "Mechanical Mule," which could eventually take the slogging out of foot-slogging, is making an impressive showing at user trials being held at JungleTraining Centre, Canungra, Qld. The "Mule'', a half-ton weapons carrier, has been designed to carry infantry equipment to forward battle areas — over all types of country.

Four of the vehicles were bought by the Australian Army and are being sub-jected to rigorous trials to establish their suitability for Australian require-ments. Australia is the first country outside the United States to test them.

Many hazards

Last week the "Mules" went through their paces before a battery of Press and TV cameras and the reaction was: "amazing". The vehicles climbed 45-degree grades fully loaded, pushed through deep mud, and climbed over fallen trees. With a pay-load of 1000lbs. — 100lbs. more than the vehicle's weight — the mighty midget is understood to do the work of 30 men. Driver walks It can carry up to four litter cases out of the toughest situations. The driver sits on a small seat on the platformand the foot controls are in a tubular basket in front of the vehicle. The steering mechanism is adjustable to three posi-tions so the driver can control the vehicle while walking behind it. The "Mule" was re-viewed on the technical page of ARMY (Page 9, Feb. 11, 1960).

|| Soupy going at Canungra, where the "Mule" is being put through its paces. Here an Australian Army
driver finds the "Mule" is at home in rough going and as happy as a pig in deep mud. With barely a snort the "Mule" plunged in, plough-ed through and came out without sign of effort. HEADNOTE: The driver is wearing an American-type helmet expected to be in service in the Australian Army soon. The wearing of the Rising Sun badge on the helmet is under con-sideration. ||