Type 95 Heavy Tank

Type 95 Heavy Tank
The Type 95 Heavy Tank.
Type	Heavy Tank
Place of origin	Japan
Specifications
Weight	26 t (29 short tons)
Length	6.47 m (21.25 ft.)
Width	2.69 m (8.8 ft.)
Height	2.89 m (9.5 ft.)
Crew	5
Armor	12–30 mm
Main armament	1x 70 mm tank gun
Secondary armament	1x 37 mm tank gun, 2x 6.5mm MG
Engine	BMW IV water-cooled inline 6-cylinder gasoline 290 hp
Suspension	Leaf-Spring
Operational range	110 km
Speed	22 km/h (13.7 mph)

The Type 95 Heavy Tank was the final result of Japanese multi-turreted tank design, and was in commission during the time period between World War I and World War II.^[1] Modeled on German and Italian tank designs, this tank featured 2 turrets, the main armament being a 70 mm cannon, and its secondary turret mounting a 37 mm gun and two 6.5 mm machine guns. Only one prototype was ever produced, in 1934.^[1]

Experimental Type 91 Heavy Tank

Experimental tank No.1, 1927

History

After World War One, major powers around the world quickly adopted the revolutionary design of French Renault FT light tank. One of the most successful features on the Renault FT was a 360 degree rotating turret. While developing new single-turreted tanks more closely based on the Renault FT, many countries also experimented with the possibility of multi-turreted designs.

However, the multi-turreted tank concept was proven to be ineffective in actual combat due to its necessarily large size, complicated design, and poor mobility. Only the Soviet Union built and used large numbers of multi-turreted tanks such as the T-28 and T-35.

Design

In 1931, Japan produced a prototype, called the "Type 91". The Imperial Japanese Army's decision to develop heavy combat vehicles was prompted by the increasing threat posed by the Soviet Union, a potential enemy of Japan in East Asia. This first design was not successful, and the project was soon canceled. However, this project later became a stepping stone in the development of the Type 95 Heavy tank.

The development of a new multi-turreted tank started in 1932 and a prototype was completed in September 1934. The overall shape of the Type 95 followed the design of the earlier Type 91, but its firepower was significantly improved. Its 26 tonne weight made it the largest Japanese tank at the time.

Firepower

The primary weapon of Type 95 was a Type 94 7 cm tank cannon specifically designed for it. The cannon could fire both Type 92 high-explosive shells and Type 95 armor-piercing shells. The gun elevation angle was 20 degrees and gun depression angle was -12 degrees. A 7.7 mm machine gun was also mounted on the main turret.

Two addition turrets gave Type 95 yet more firepower: one Type 94 3.7 cm tank cannon was mounted in one auxiliary turret, and the second auxiliary turret featured a 7.7 mm machine gun.

References

1. "Mailer Education – Japanese tanks". Retrieved 12 February 2008.