The Type 98 So-Da (九八式装甲運搬車 ソダ, Kyūhachi-shiki Sōkounpansha So-Da) was an armored personnel and ammunition carrier used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.
| Type 98 So-Da | |
|---|---|
 Type 98 So-Da | |
| Type | Armored personnel carrier[1] |
| Place of origin | Empire of Japan |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1937 |
| Produced | introduced in 1941[2] |
| Specifications (Type 98 So-Da[1]) | |
| Mass | 5 tons[1] |
| Length | 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)[2] |
| Width | 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)[2] |
| Height | 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)[2] |
| Crew | 2+4–6[1] |
| Armor | 6–12 mm[1] |
Main armament | none |
| Engine | diesel engine 65 PS (48 kW) at 2300 rpm[1] |
| Payload capacity | 1 ton[2] |
| Suspension | Bell crank |
Operational range | 200 km[1] |
| Maximum speed | 45 km/h (28 mph)[1] |
History and development
edit
Type 98 So-Da was designed in 1937, with a chassis based on the Type 97 Te-Ke tankette. However, its engine compartment was moved to the front of the chassis.[1] The fully tracked vehicle was first produced in 1941. The Type 98 So-Da was used as a personnel and ammunition carrier in forward-line areas. In addition, it was also used as an "artillery tractor" to tow a gun trailer.[1]
Its hull had an open top and the "flatbed" in back had a double door at the rear. The flatbed could be covered with a tarp over the three rail supports. The towing coupling was secured to the frame of the hull on a "semi-elliptical spring". This protected the frame while hauling heavy equipment[1] The total number of Type 98 So-Da vehicles produced is unknown.[2]
Notes
editReferences
edit- Foss, Christopher F (2002). The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles: The Comprehensive Guide to over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles from 1915 to the Present Day. Thunder Bay Press. ISBN 1-57145-806-9.
- Tomczyk, Andrzej (2003). Japanese Armor Vol. 3. AJ Press. ISBN 978-8372371287.