Type 97 Te-Ke
In Chunking area of central China.
Tokyo Motor Industry (later Hino Motors) built 2 prototypes in 1937. The 1st model had the engine and driver at the front and the turret in the rear. It was later moved to the front so that the crew could better communicate.
Riveted construction and a rear mounted engine. 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.
Used in all fronts. Initially designed for reconnaissance they were often employed as infantry support.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.
| Type 97 Te Ke | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander/gunner, driver 21,2 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 4.2 tons3,4, 4.67 tons1, 4.7 tons2 4,750 kg1 9,900 lb, 10,469 lb |
| Length w/gun | 12'4, 12.17'2, 12' 1"1 3.68 m1, 3.7 m3 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 5.83'2, 5' 9.5", 5' 10"1,4 1.77 m1, 1.79 m3 |
| Width | 5' 11"1,4, 6.25'2 1.8 m1, 1.9 m3 |
| 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 Front: 123 Side: 103 |
| 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 653,4 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | Diesel1,2,4 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Max Speed | 25 mph2, 26 mph1,4, 28 mph 40 kph3, 42 kph1 |
| Cross Country | |
| Road radius | 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 | |
| Production | 1937- |
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
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
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