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
TypeSelf-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Place of originEmpire of Japan
Production history
Designed1938
Produced1941[1]
No. built1 prototype[2]
Specifications
Mass22 tons
Length4.78 m (15 ft 8 in)
Width2.19 m (7 ft 2 in)
Height2.58 m (8 ft 6 in)
Crew5

Armor6–16 mm
Main
armament
Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon[1]
EnginePetrol
130hp
SuspensionBell crank
Operational
range
300 km (190 mi)
Maximum speed 42 km/h (26 mph)

Development

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During 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]

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Twin gun version

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After 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

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Side view of SPAAG Ki-To

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

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army Page: Anti-Aircraft Tank "Ta-Se"
  2. ^ a b c d e Tomczyk 2007, p. 14.
  3. ^ "日本陸軍 試製対空戦車 キト". gunsight.jp. Retrieved 2023-02-22.

References

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