Type 98 Ko-Hi Explained

Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (short version)
Is Vehicle:yes
Origin:Empire of Japan
Length:5.3m (17.4feet)
Width:2m (07feet)
Height:2.2m (07.2feet)
Weight:5.281 ton
Suspension:Bell crank
Speed:30mph
Vehicle Range:200 km
Engine:Air-cooled diesel gasoline
Engine Power:110PS
Pw Ratio:32.5 HP/tonne
Crew:15

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.

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 30abbr=onNaNabbr=on 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

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

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

References

Notes and References

  1. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/ko-hi.htm Taki's Imperial Japanese Army: Type 98 Half-tracked Prime Mover "Ko-Hi"
  2. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/4aa.htm Taki's Imperial Japanese Army: Type 4 75mm AA gun
  3. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/t96AATractor.html Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army: Type 96 AA gun Prime Mover
  4. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/truck94.htm Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army: Type 94 6-wheeled truck
  5. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/98large.html Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army: Type 98 Half-tracked Prime Mover large model