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Japan's Type 97 Te-Ke
Photos
Design
A decision was made by the Imperial Japanese Army to standardized on diesel engines for their tanks.3
Riveted construction and a rear mounted engine.3 The driver sat on the left of the commander. Interior was lined with heat absorbing asbestos sheets. Sometimes a 7.7mm MG was shipped instead of 37mm gun.
The turret had a hinged access door at the rear for the commander.
Prototype
Hino Motor Company developed a prototype in 1936 that used the Ikegi diesel engine and a Type 94 37 mm gun.3 After unsatisfactory trials a new prototype was built in November 1937 which had the engine towards the rear.3
Production
Type Type 97 replaced the Type 94 on Hino's production line in 1939.3
- Type 97 Te-Ke: 1937-
Usage
Used in all fronts. Initially designed for reconnaissance they were often employed as infantry support.3,4 In some instances they were used for observation posts. Also used as an ammunition carrier that could tow an ammunition trailer. A company was anywhere from 10 to 17 vehicles.
Specifications
| Type 97 Te Ke | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander/gunner, driver 21,2 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 4.2 tons4, 4.67 tons1, 4.7 tons2 4,750 kg1 9,900 lb, 10,469 lb |
| Length | 12'4, 12.17'2, 12' 1"1 3.68 m1 |
| Height | 5.83'2, 5' 9.5", 5' 10"1,4 1.77 m1 |
| Width | 5' 11"1,4, 6.25'2 1.8 m1 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 37 mm1,4 37 mm Type 94 37 mm2 OR 7.7 mm MG2 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 7.7 mm |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 961 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 4 - 162 161 |
| Hull Front, Upper | |
| Hull Front, Lower | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | |
| Hull Rear | |
| Hull Top | |
| Hull Bottom | |
| Turret Front | |
| Turret Sides | |
| Turret Rear | |
| Turret Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Ikega1 air-cooled2 |
| Cylinders | 41,2 |
| Net HP | 651,2 @ 2,300 rpm 654 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | Diesel1,2,4 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Speed - Road | 25 mph2, 26 mph1,4, 28 mph 42 kph1 |
| Speed - Cross Country | |
| Range - Road | 155 miles1, 250 km1 |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation Limits | |
| Fording depth | 2' 6" |
| Trench crossing | 5' 3", 5' 7" |
| Vertical Obstacle | |
| Suspension (Type) | |
| Wheels each side | 2 bogies with 2 wheels each |
| Return rollers each side | 2 |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | |
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- Japanese Tanks 1939-45, Steven J. Zaloga, 2007
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
