"The Mule (Vietnam)" Topic

I'm back posting again slightly quicker then I expected, once again a new addition for my Vietnam collection. This time it's a workhorse called the Mule

As always a brief review and more pictures on my blog, feel free to check it out

accidentalpainter.blogspot.com

I didn't realize Empress produced 54mm ;-)))). Sir, if this is "accidental" painting, I shudder to think of you painting "on purpose". I am simply flabbergasted ! Please keep up postings gems like this, I promise to try to learn from them and not throw away all those unpainted figures and cry myself to sleep in the evening ;-))).,

Very nicely done. That and your earlier posting of the recoilless rifle dismounted show Paul Hicks' sculpting at his best (almost as good as his Saxon cavalry for 1812, although nothing anywhere beats them). I particularly like the earlier character crouching covering his ears, but both of your postings are great. Roll on the Ontos then!

Great job as always my friend. I'm thinking that your Nam figures are almost as good as your ACW figures. I did say almost. We'll have to see more before a final decision is made. Have a Happy New Year. TIG

Again, very nice.

I had a mule when I was in Viet Nam. I bartered for it; I traded either a BB gun and a jar of thousands of BBs or a porn collection (I forget which).
I stored it at the ration breakdown compound. We used to try and kill each other by playing catch with the mule as the "rabbit" and a 40,000 pound forklift as the "chaser". Great fun!
I believe that I traded it for a cool jacked (like the one Tom Cruise wore except with "Nam" on the back).
Oh yeah, I wanted to mention. See the gear shifts by his right leg? The 1,2,3 gear lever had a tendency to fall forward thru a gap and swing under it. You had to dangerously lean forward and return it to keep shifting. The gears were not very forgiving on mine.

Thank guys it's much appreciated

Porthos thank you, you are very kind in your comments and they are warmly received. I'm always surprised by the generosity shown regarding my work.

deadhead thank you, your input is always valued and very much appreciated. Mr Hicks is indeed a very talented man, I don't think there is anything he couldn't sculpt. As for the ontos, I will be parting with some more money with Empress very soon and the ontos will be on the list.

Tig, thank you my friend. Don't worry there is much more stuff on its way, it may never rival my ACW collection in size but hopefully my passion will help it shine. Happy New Year my friend here's to a good one.

troopwo thank you, I have more to come, much much more.

d88mm1940, what ever you traded it sounds like you came out tops. The game sounds dangerous but real good fun, it looks a awesome thing to drive if not a tad dangerous. Thank you for sharing, it means alot.

Well guys thank you for the comments and the kind words, this is what TMP is all about. Hope you all have a happy, healthy and peaceful Start to 2024
All the very best
Cheers Russ

I think this has to be the best intro to any post, ever, on TMP and, coming on New Year's Eve, it deserves repeating;

"I had a mule when I was in Viet Nam"

Never mind the gags about cruelty to animals. Indeed illegal in the UK.

I mean the idea of driving a vehicle just begging to roll over on top of you, no seat belt, with gear sticks (US, shifts) that you could not reach and in a place where many a local wished you ill.

I have just sat through "An Affair to Remember" (Trust me, I had little choice, last night was "Sleepless in Seattle") It was made in 1957 with many a child actor and I did wonder did any pay The Last Full Measure in VN. We were spared that over here TG. I was just the age, if not.

Ha! While not intended, I am glad that I didn't start out with "I had an ass when I was in Viet Nam"! Maybe all of that college finally paid off.
I had dropped out of high school in my senior year. I was smarter than my teachers…
Kind of encouraged to enter the service, I was actually in the North Las Vegas jail the night before I was to leave for the Los Angeles Induction Center) (my stepdad talked the police into releasing me).
The Army liked for its soldiers to be educated so I was volunteered for a crash course for the GED. 2 extra hours a night to study for the exam at the end of the week. I passed in the top 5% and received my High School Equivalency certificate 6 months before I would have graduated from high school!
A year and a half later I was in Viet Nam. 2 years later I was driving that mule around like my hair was on fire!
Happy New Years to all!

Yes, the Mules were fun to drive. When empty I could pop a wheelie.

Wolfhag

When you were full you could roll it, I will bet