Mule doing a wheelie.

[12Bravo]

Sometime ago I posted on the 503 in the Mule section a story of a Sea Bee in Nam named Bob Hataway that had pictures of a mule that they had rebuilt the engine and were doing wheelies the length of a runway. Neil Stinger from Alaska and a Wiener from Michigan the machinist who bored the jugs and made new pistons. This picture was just found at the estate of Bob Hataway who died mid summer last year. Several people did not believe my story but here is an old picture of the Mule with the wheels in the air. Neal Stinger is driving the Mule. Other picture is Chief Berrty drinking the beer.

[m3a1]

HA! Love it!

[rickf]

Must have been one hell of a landing!!!! My kidneys hurt just thinking about it. I can see a quick wheelie but not a long one. Not enough gear, you would run out of rpm in 20 feet.

[12Bravo]

on the runway

[rickf]

Ok, Now I see, there are a couple guys hanging on the back to put all weight back behind the wheels. Still impressive though because you have to get it up to begin with. And the driver has to be downright nuts. Wait a minute, Vietnam, we were all nuts once we got there!

[m3a1]

I'm betting the fella in the back only had to lean forward and down it would come. Insofar as 'crazy' goes...sometimes 'crazy' seems to be the new normal in a war zone.

[rickf]

With that left rear wheel off the ground it is either on its way up or down, either way the guys on the back are not leaning, they are holding on for dear life. Note the right foot of the guy sitting on the passenger side rear. There is something hanging down behind on the left side, maybe a wheelie bar or maybe the lower portion of the other passenger REALLY hanging on for dear life.

[m3a1]

I think President Reagan put it best.

Boys will be boys!