| Type 98 anti-aircraft gun tank | |
|---|---|
) | |
| Place of origin | Empire of Japan |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 22 tons |
| Length | 4.78 m (15 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.19 m (7 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 2.58 m (8 ft 6 in) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Armor | 6–16 mm |
Main armament | 2x Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon |
| Engine | petrol 130hp |
| Suspension | Bell crank |
Operational range | 300 km (190 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 42 km/h (26 mph) |
The Type 98 20 mm AAG (Anti-Air Gun) Tank was a Japanese self-propelled anti-aircraft gun using a twin Soki Type II 20 mm anti-air gun. They were combined with the chassis of the Type 98 Ke-Ni.[1] The gun crew worked from a raised platform with a modest amount of protection from the sides - the twin 20 mm gun fired through a large Gun shield gave further protection for the crew from that direction.
In November 1941, development began on an anti-aircraft version of the Type 98 with a 20 mm AA gun.[1] During development of the AA gun tank, the Imperial Japanese Army experimented with various configurations.
Single gun variant
)
An earlier produced single gun prototype was designated the Type 98 Ta-Se anti-aircraft tank in November 1941.[1] The name was taken from Taikū ("anti-air") sensha ("tank"). It was equipped with a single converted Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon in a circumferential turret. During trials, it was determined that the chassis used for the Ta-Se was too small to be a stable "firing platform".[1][2] It did not enter production.[1]
Twin gun version
)
The prototype Type 98 20 mm AAG Tank was equipped with modified twin Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon.[1][2] The guns were similar to the Type 98 anti-aircraft cannon, but these could be elevated to 95 degrees and had a central fire-control system.[3] The rate of fire was 300 rpm, and they had a maximum range of 5,500 m.[3] The gunner sat in the seat right behind the gun. The platform allowed 360 degrees of rotation for both the gunner and the gun. A Type 100 air-cooled inline six-cylinder diesel engine was used to output 130 horsepower. Forward transmission included four stages, with one reverse speed. Type 98 Ke-Ni chassis and engine, on which the prototype was based managed a speed 42 km/h. It also did not enter production.[1]
See also
- Type 98 20 mm AA Half-Track Vehicle
- 20 mm AA Machine Cannon Carrier
Notes
References
- Taki's Imperial Japanese Army Page - Akira Takizawa
- Tomczyk, Andrzej (2007). Japanese Armor Vol. 5. AJ Press. ISBN 978-8372371799.