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.

Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (short version)
Place of originEmpire of Japan
Specifications
Mass5.281 ton[1]
Length5.3 m (17 ft)[1]
Width2.0 m (6.6 ft)[1]
Height2.2 m (7.2 ft)[1]
Crew15[1]

EngineAir-cooled diesel gasoline
110 PS (81 kW)[1]
Power/weight32.5 HP/tonne
SuspensionBell crank
Operational
range
200 km
Maximum speed 30 mph (48 km/h)[1]

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 48 km/h (30 mph) 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

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Front angle view of Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (short version) with canvas cover

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

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Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (long version)

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:

  • length:5.67 m (18.6 ft)[5]
  • width:1.9 m (6.2 ft)[5]
  • height:2.3 m (7.5 ft)[5]
  • weight:6 ton[5]

The total number of half-tracks built in relation to each of the two versions produced is unknown.

See also

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Notes

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References

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