Type 98 Ke-Ni, Type 2 Ke-To

Was designed to replace the Type 95, but due to difficulties with retooling the factories and the diminished need for light tanks it wasn't produced in great quantities.4 One of the tanks designers was General Hara.4

Driver was positioned in front in the center and had steering wheel control.

Muzzle velocity of the 37 mm Type 100 was 2,493 ft/sec.4

Type 98-B Ke-Ni:

Had Christie type suspension with 4 road wheels, but never entered production.

Type 2 Ke-To:

Same as the Ke-Ni but with a newer 37 mm gun. Production didn't start until 1944. Only a few were finished before the end of the war.

Had a cylindrical turret.4

29 built in 1944. Model 1 37 mm gun. Muzzle velocity of 2,625 ft/ sec. All-welded construction.

  Type 98 Ke-Ni A Type 98 Ke-Ni B Type 2 Ke-To
Crew Commander, gunner-turret, driver
32,4
  31,2
Physical Characteristics      
Weight 6.2 tons3, 7.2 tons2
16,000 lb
  7.09 tons1, 7.2 tons2
7,200 kg1
Length w/gun 13' 5.5", 13.46'2
4.11 m3
  13' 6"1, 13.46'2
4.11 m1
Length w/o gun      
Height 5' 11.5", 5.96'2
1.82 m3
  5' 11"1, 5.96'2
1.82 m 1
Width 6' 11.5", 6.96'2
2.12 m3
  6' 11"1, 6.96'2
2.12 m1
Ground clearance      
Ground contact length      
Ground pressure      
Turret ring diameter      
Armament      
Main

37 mm Type 1004
37 mm2
37 mm Type 94 or Type 983

  37 mm Model 1
37 mm Type 11
37 mm2
Secondary      
MG 7.7 mm Model 97 MG coaxial
2: 7.7 mm MG2
7.7 mm MG, coaxial4
  7.7 mm MG1,2
Side arms      
Quantity      
Main      
Secondary      
MG      
Side arms      
Armor Thickness (mm) 6 - 162
Front: 163
Side: 163
  6 - 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) Type 1004
Air cooled2,4
  Mitsubishi Type 1001, air cooled2
Cylinders 62   I-61
Net HP 1303,4, 1502   1301, 1502
Transmission      
Fuel type Diesel2,4   Diesel1,2
Octane      
Capacity      
Performance      
Traverse 360°    
Max Speed 31.1 mph2, 32 mph4, 34 mph
50 kph3
  31 mph1, 31.1 mph2
50 kph1
Cross Country      
Road radius 100 miles, 190 miles4   116 miles1
186 km1
Turning Radius      
Elevation Limits      
Fording depth 2' 3"    
Trench crossing 6' 7"    
Vertical Obstacle      
Suspension (Type) See-saw type4 Christie2  
Wheels each side 6 grouped in 3 bogies4 42  
Return rollers each side      
Track length      
Tires      
Track width      
Track centers/tread      
Production 1942-1943: 100    

Sources:

  1. 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
  2. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  3. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  4. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
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