The experimental Type 98 Ta-Se was a Japanese self-propelled anti-aircraft gun using a Type 98 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. It used the chassis of the Type 98 Ke-Ni light tank. It did not enter production.
| Type 98 Ta-Se self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun |
| Place of origin | Empire of Japan |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1938 |
| Produced | 1941[1] |
| No. built | 1 prototype[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 22 tons |
| Length | 4.78 m (15 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.19 m (7 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 2.58 m (8 ft 6 in) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Armor | 6–16 mm |
Main armament | Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon[1] |
| Engine | Petrol 130hp |
| Suspension | Bell crank |
Operational range | 300 km (190 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 42 km/h (26 mph) |
Development
editDuring development of the AA gun tank, the Imperial Japanese Army experimented with various configurations. This single gun prototype was designated the Type 98 Ta-Se self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Initial development began in November 1941.[1][2] The name was taken from taikū ('anti-air') sensha ('tank'). The conventional turret was removed from the hull and a new open-top cylindrical shaped turret was installed. It was equipped with a single converted Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon. During trials, it was determined that the chassis used for the Ta-Se was too small to be a stable "firing platform".[1][2] It did not enter production.[2]
Gallery
edit-
Front view of Type 98 Ta-Se -
Side angle view of Type 98 Ta-Se
Twin gun version
editAfter the Type 98 Ta-Se SPAAG was abandoned, a second prototype version, known as the Type 98 20 mm AAG tank was produced using the Type 98 chassis. The gun tank was equipped with a modified twin Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon mounted on a raised platform with a gun shield. It also did not enter mass production after testing.[1][2]
Prior single AA gun tank
edit
Prior to the Type 98 Ta-Se, an earlier prototype was produced that was known as the experimental Type 97 Ki-To self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The original Type 97 Te-Ke tankette turret was removed, and a single Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon was mounted on the modified chassis without a protective gun shield.[3] It did not enter production.
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d e Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army Page: Anti-Aircraft Tank "Ta-Se"
- ^ a b c d e Tomczyk 2007, p. 14.
- ^ "日本陸軍 試製対空戦車 キト". gunsight.jp. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
References
edit- Taki's Imperial Japanese Army Page - Akira Takizawa
- Tomczyk, Andrzej (2007). Japanese Armor Vol. 5. AJ Press. ISBN 978-8372371799.