The Type 98 Ko-Hi a/k/a Type 98 half-tracked prime mover "Ko-Hi" was a half-track used by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). Introduced in 1938, it was used during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II.
| Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (short version) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Place of origin | Empire of Japan |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.281 ton[1] |
| Length | 5.3 m (17 ft)[1] |
| Width | 2.0 m (6.6 ft)[1] |
| Height | 2.2 m (7.2 ft)[1] |
| Crew | 15[1] |
| Engine | Air-cooled diesel gasoline 110 PS (81 kW)[1] |
| Power/weight | 32.5 HP/tonne |
| Suspension | Bell crank |
Operational range | 200 km |
| Maximum speed | 30 mph (48 km/h)[1] |
The half-track was first manufactured in 1938 and given the official designation of the Type 98 half-tracked prime mover Ko-Hi.[1] The Type 98 half-tracks were considered "high speed" prime movers, capable of 48 km/h (30 mph) when loaded.[1] It had a diesel engine and a crew of 15.[1] The Type 98 Ko-Hi was used to tow a Type 4 75 mm AA gun.[2]
History
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During the 1920s, the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) used several types of trucks to transport Anti-aircraft guns. In 1936 the Type 96 AA gun prime mover (a/k/a "gun tractor") was developed from the Type 94 6-wheeled truck. The Type-94 prime mover on which it was based had shown to be a reliable vehicle.[3][4] Additional efforts were made by the Imperial Japanese Army to produce greater anti-aircraft mobilization. This included the production of the 20 mm AA machine cannon carrier truck, using the Type 98 half-track Ko-Hi to tow an anti-aircraft gun and the creation of a prototype variant known as the Type 98 20 mm AA half-track vehicle. The Type 98 prototype had a single 20 mm Type 98 AA cannon mounted on the back section of the half-track. The prototype did not enter mass production.
Versions
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Two versions of the Type 98 Ko−Hi half-track prime mover were produced. The Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (short version) and the Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (long version). The main differences were in the dimensions of the vehicles and chassis of the vehicles. The "long version" specifications:
The total number of half-tracks built in relation to each of the two versions produced is unknown.
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Taki's Imperial Japanese Army: Type 98 Half-tracked Prime Mover "Ko-Hi"
- ^ Taki's Imperial Japanese Army: Type 4 75mm AA gun
- ^ Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army: Type 96 AA gun Prime Mover
- ^ Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army: Type 94 6-wheeled truck
- ^ a b c d Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army: Type 98 Half-tracked Prime Mover large model