By VinceHoffman
Jan 29, 2016
A 4x4 "build-off" challenge here on the official MB Collectors website/gallery was the motivation behind this MOC. The front end is based around my prior M34-6 Radio Van MOC. I liked that truck design a lot and based upon the number of likes and the Mega Bloks WorldWide contest win, so did you! I'd always figured I'd eventually get around to building a few more vehicles based around its core design. Well here ya go.
The M34-4 Mule is the shorter four wheeled variant of the the M34-6 six wheeled Transport/Utility vehicle. The versatile and robust Mule comes in a number of variants with Field Ambulance and Communications Van versions in addition to the troop hauler seen here. All Mule variants feature a 1000hp hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine equipped with a continuously-variable transmission and all wheel drive. Long travel suspension and over a meter of ground clearance affords the Mule true all terrain capability. The Mule features a V-section "boat hull" style armored body with identical modular 4cm thick plasteel canopies over the cockpit and troop bay. The modular Plasteel canopy will stop small arms fire up to a .50 Caliber round. A roof top mounted remote operated variant of the M247H Heavy Machine Gun can be brought to bear in the vehicle's defense.
The M34-4 was originally developed prior to the Human-Covenant War as an up-armored alternative to the ubiquitous M12 Warthog. The design rational was to create a more survivable vehicle in order to address human insurrectionists' propensity for roadside IED and ambush attacks against Colonial militia and UNSC forces. However, the Mule's much higher manufacturing cost and the its reduced maneuverability (when compared to the Warthog's 4 wheel steering) translated to far higher numbers of Warthogs being produced and fielded. Still when the bullets/plasma are flying in a hot AO, the wind whipping through your hair doesn't really seem like such a great idea!
The M34-4 comfortably fits 4 passengers on rear benches in addition to the driver and the optional gun operator on the swiveling jump seat immediately behind the driver. The roof top gun can be remotely operated from the driver or gunners seat. It can also be set to autonomous operation in target-rich environments when there is no risk of civilian collateral damage. The M247H is manually aimed with a helmet-mounted heads-up monocle using it's thermally enhanced optic sensors. Alternatively the gun can be set for autonomous operation using it's IFF sensor to actively ping targets so as to differentiate hostiles from friendlies.
I borrowed Mega Bloks' swing arm Warthog suspension design for this MOC. The canopies and wheels were sourced from the original Halo Wars Gremlin. The roo bar (grill guard), bars on the sides of the passenger bay, driver access ladder, and mud flaps were sourced from the L*go catalog as there were no suitable equivalents from Mega Bloks.
The M34-4 Mule is the shorter four wheeled variant of the the M34-6 six wheeled Transport/Utility vehicle. The versatile and robust Mule comes in a number of variants with Field Ambulance and Communications Van versions in addition to the troop hauler seen here. All Mule variants feature a 1000hp hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine equipped with a continuously-variable transmission and all wheel drive. Long travel suspension and over a meter of ground clearance affords the Mule true all terrain capability. The Mule features a V-section "boat hull" style armored body with identical modular 4cm thick plasteel canopies over the cockpit and troop bay. The modular Plasteel canopy will stop small arms fire up to a .50 Caliber round. A roof top mounted remote operated variant of the M247H Heavy Machine Gun can be brought to bear in the vehicle's defense.
The M34-4 was originally developed prior to the Human-Covenant War as an up-armored alternative to the ubiquitous M12 Warthog. The design rational was to create a more survivable vehicle in order to address human insurrectionists' propensity for roadside IED and ambush attacks against Colonial militia and UNSC forces. However, the Mule's much higher manufacturing cost and the its reduced maneuverability (when compared to the Warthog's 4 wheel steering) translated to far higher numbers of Warthogs being produced and fielded. Still when the bullets/plasma are flying in a hot AO, the wind whipping through your hair doesn't really seem like such a great idea!
The M34-4 comfortably fits 4 passengers on rear benches in addition to the driver and the optional gun operator on the swiveling jump seat immediately behind the driver. The roof top gun can be remotely operated from the driver or gunners seat. It can also be set to autonomous operation in target-rich environments when there is no risk of civilian collateral damage. The M247H is manually aimed with a helmet-mounted heads-up monocle using it's thermally enhanced optic sensors. Alternatively the gun can be set for autonomous operation using it's IFF sensor to actively ping targets so as to differentiate hostiles from friendlies.
I borrowed Mega Bloks' swing arm Warthog suspension design for this MOC. The canopies and wheels were sourced from the original Halo Wars Gremlin. The roo bar (grill guard), bars on the sides of the passenger bay, driver access ladder, and mud flaps were sourced from the L*go catalog as there were no suitable equivalents from Mega Bloks.