Type 2 Ke-To light tank explained

Type 2 Ke-To
Is Vehicle:yes
Origin:Empire of Japan
Type:Light tank
Design Date:1941
Production Date:1944–1945
Number:34
Spec Label:Type 2 Ke-To[1]
Length:4.11m (13.48feet)
Width:2.12m (06.96feet)
Height:1.82m (05.97feet)
Weight:7.2 tons
Suspension:Bell crank
Speed:50 km/h
Vehicle Range:186 kilometers
Primary Armament:Type 1 37 mm tank gun
Secondary Armament:7.7 mm machine gun
Armour:6–16 mm
Engine:Mitsubishi Type 100 air-cooled diesel
Engine Power:130hp
Crew:3

The was a light tank of World War II, produced in small numbers for the Imperial Japanese Army as an improvement of the existing Type 98 Ke-Ni. No Type 2 Ke-To light tanks are known to have engaged in combat prior to Japan's surrender at the end of World War II.[2]

Design

The Type 2 Ke-To was based on the Type 98 Ke-Ni, using the same engine and bell crank suspension. However, the gun turret was enlarged to provide greater space for the crewmen and the main armament was changed to the more powerful Type 1 37 mm gun, with a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s.[2] The new 37 mm gun used gave the tank "slightly better performance". The conical turret also carried a 7.7 mm machine-gun in a coaxial mount. The designation "Type 2" represented the Japanese Imperial Year 2602 (1942 AD), "Ke" represented "light", and "To" represented the number seven.[2] [3]

Production

Production commenced in 1944, with 34 units completed by the end of the war.[2] No Type 2 Ke-To light tanks are known to have engaged in combat prior to Japan's surrender at the end of World War II.[2]

Prototype work vehicle

An experimental "work vehicle" based on the Type 2 Ke-To light tank was produced in 1944. The armament consisted of a Type 97 7.7 mm machine gun in a smaller, modified turret. It was equipped with a 30kw generator, a flood light for night work and a light crane behind the tower.[4]

Variant

The Type 4 Work vehicle was an engineering vehicle developed in late 1944 on the chassis of the Type 2 Ke-To light tank. It was equipped with a dozer blade on the front end for use in airfield construction. It was also equipped with a 30kw generator to power tools and a flood light for night work. The exact number produced is not known.[5]

References

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/ke-to.htm Taki's Imperial Japanese Army: Type 2 Light Tank "Ke-To"
  2. http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_type_2_ke_to.html History of War: Type 98 Type 2 Ke-To Light Tank
  3. http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_japanese_tank_designations_WWII.html History of War: Japanese Tank Designations
  4. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/mixi/diary/1763941/933953.html Taki's Imperial Japanese Army: Articles on Japanese tank (Japanese text only)
  5. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/Type4WorkVehicle.html Taki's Imperial Japanese Army: Type 4 Work Vehicle