Japan's Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tank

Photos

Design

The development of the Type 2 Ka-Mi began back in the 1930s.⁶ The Navy took over amphibious tank development from the army in 1940. Their first design was the Ka-Mi which appeared in 1942. These were virtually hand built and thus not enough were produced for demand.

The Type 2 Ka-Mi's chassis was based on the Type 95 Ha-Go.^3,4,6 It retained the wheels, tracks, suspension, and tracks.³

Amphibious Capabilities

It had two pontoons installed in the front and rear that were bolted on.^3,4,6 They could be released from the inside of the Type 2.^4,5

The front sponson was divided into 8 compartments to minimize flooding from damage. All welded construction. Had 2 propellers and was steered by 2 rudders which were controlled by cables from the commander's position.^3,5

The Type 2 also had a bilge pump and the road wheels had drain holes.³ Often there were barriers placed around the grills on the top of the engine to help prevent water from entering.³

Crew

There was also a radio and telephone intercom for the crew.^3,6 There was a mechanic that looked after the power that went to the propellers.^3,6

Armament

The 37 mm gun could fire a 1.5 lb AP shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,300'/sec.⁵

Production

• Type 2 Ka-Mi: 180
  • Production: 1942^3,5,6, 1943 - ⁴

Usage

Used mostly for infantry support or used as pillboxes.^3,6 Some could be launched from submarines.

Saipan

3 were with the 1st Yokosuka Special Naval Landing Force at Saipan⁴.

Leyte

In 1944 Type 2s were deployed to Leyte.⁴

Specifications

	Type 2 Ka-Mi
Crew	62, 4 - 5, 51,3,6
Physical Characteristics
Weight	24,915 lb, 27,500 lb 11,300 kg, 12,500 kg1 12.3 tons1
Weight - without pontoons	21,056 lb6, 21,100 lb3 9,571 kg3,6
Weight - with pontoons	24,862 lb6, 24,914 lb3, 24,915 lb5 12.5 tons2 11,301 kg3,6
Length	24' 6.75", 24' 4"1 7.42 m1
Length - without pontoons	15' 10"3,6 4.826 m3,6
Length - with pontoons	24.58'2, 24' 4"3,5,6 7.417 m3,6
Height	7.51'2, 7' 8"1,3,5,6 2.34 m1, 2.337 m3,6
Width	9.16'2, 9' 1.8"3,6, 9' 2"5, 9' 3"1 2.79 m1,3,6
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	14"5
Ground contact length	130"5
Ground pressure
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	1: 37 mm1,2,3,6 1: 37 mm Type 15
Secondary
MG	2: 7.7 mm MG1,2,3,6
MG - coaxial	1: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG5
Mg - hull	1: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG5
Side arms
Quantity
Main	1325
Secondary
MG	3,5005
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	6 - 126, 122, 131
Hull Front, Upper	0.47"@0°5
Hull Front, Lower
Hull Sides, Upper	0.35"@0°5
Hull Sides, Lower
Hull Rear
Hull Top
Hull Bottom
Turret Front	0.52"@0°5
Turret Sides	0.52"@0°5
Turret Rear
Turret Top
Engine (Make / Model)	Mitsubishi1
Bore / stroke
Cooling	Air2,5,6
Cylinders	61,2,3,5,6
Capacity
Net HP	1103,6, 1151,2, 1205
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	High and low ranges5 4 forward, 1 reverse5
Steering	Land: clutch-brake5 Water: rudders5
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)	Diesel1,2,3,5,6
Octane
Quantity	53 gallons5
Road consumption	2.4 mpg5
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	360°5
Speed - Road	23 mph1,2,3,5,6 37 kph1,3,6
Speed - Water	6 mph1,2,3,5,6 9.65 kph3,6, 10 kph1
Range - Road	124 miles5, 125 miles1,3,6 199.5 km3,6, 200 km1
Range - Water	93 miles3,5,6, 94 miles1 149.6 km3,6, 150 km1
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-11.5° to +5.5°5
Fording depth	Amphibious6
Trench crossing	6' 7"5
Vertical obstacle	2' 5"5
Climbing ability
Suspension (Type)	Bogie wheels mounted on bell cranks5
Wheels each side	2 bogies with 2 wheels each5
Return rollers each side	2
Tracks (Type)	Steel, dry pin5
Length
Width	12"5
Diameter
Number of links	1035
Pitch	3 5/16"5
Tire tread
Track centers/tread	96.255