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Japan's Type 4 Ka-Tsu Amphibious

Design

A new design was needed due to the problems the Japanese Navy had in resupplying troops in the Solomons.¹

Work on the Ka-Tsu started in 1943.¹ Its primary job was to carry cargo from ship to shore.¹

There were some shields for the crew but the rest of the Ka-Tsu was unarmored.¹

The engine compartment was hermetically sealed along with the electric final drives.¹ It was intended for the Ka-Tsu to be delivered by submarine.¹

Kamikaze

Once development was completed there were some in the Japanese Navy who wanted to turn the Ka-Tsus into suicide weapons.¹ The Ka-Tsu was to be armed with two torpedoes.¹ The war ended before they could be deployed.¹

Prototype

In March 1944 trials were conducted off of Kure.¹

Production

Variants

Usage

Sources:

1. Japanese Tanks 1939-45, Steven J. Zaloga, 2007