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The Type 95 light tank was developedto meet the requirements of theJapanese army in the early 1930s, thefirst two prototypes being completedin 1934 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.These were tested in China and Japanand the type was then standardized asthe Type 95 light tank, the companycalling the vehicle the HA-GO whilethe army called the vehicle the KE-GO.Over 1,100 Type 95s were built beforeproduction was completed in 1943,although some sources have statedthat production continued until 1945.The hull and turret of the Type 95were of riveted construction andvaried in thickness from 0.25 in (6 mm)to a maximum of 0.55 in (14 mm). Thedriver was seated at the front on theright with the bow machine-gunner tohis left. The latter operated the Type91 6.5-mm (0.255-in) weapon (with atraverse of 35° left and right), whichwas later replaced by the Type 97 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-gun. The turretwas in the centre of the hull, offsetslightly to the left and fitted with a Type94 37-mm tank gun firing armourpiercingand HE ammunition. This gunwas later replaced by the Type 98 gunof a similar calibre but with a highermuzzle velocity. There was no co-axialmachine-gun, but another machinegunwas mounted in the turret rear onthe right side, Totals of 2,970 rounds ofammunition were carried for the twomachine-guns and of 119 rounds for themain armament. A major drawback ofthis tank, like many French tanks of theperiod, was the fact that the tank commanderalso had to aim, load and firethe main armament in addition to carryingout his primary role of commandingthe tank.The Mitsubishi six-cylinder aircooleddiesel was mounted in the hullrear and coupled to a manual transmissionwith one reverse and four forwardgears. Steering was of the clutch andbrake type, and suspension of the bellcrank type consisting of each side ofType 95 tanlcs cross paddy fieldswhile on exercise. The Type 95sufficed in its anti-infantry role, as theJapanese army did not come upagainst any armour of consequenceuntil meeting the Marines in 1943.four rubber-tyred road wheels, withthe drive sprocket at the front and idlerat the rear; there were two trackreturnrollers.In those days no air-conditioningsystems were available to keep theinterior of the tank cooled so the wallsof the crew compartment were linedwith asbestos padding which in additiongave some protection to the crewfrom injury when travelling acrosscountry.In 1943 a few Type 95 light tankswere modified to carry the 57-mm gunas fitted to the Type 97 medium tankunder the name KE-RI, but the variantwas not very successful as the turretwas too cramped. The KE-NU was theType 95 with the complete turret of theType 97 CHI-HA medium tank. TheType 95 was succeeded in productionby the Type 98 KE-NI light tank, butonly about 100 of these were built beforeproduction was completed in 1943as the type was not considered a verysatisfactory design. The Type 2 KA-MIamphibious tank used automotivecomponents of the Type 95 light tank,and this was widely used in the earlyPacific campaigns of World War II.Japan also used tankettes on a largescale including the Types 92, 94 and97, the last being the most common.When used in China and during theearly World War II campaigns againstthe Americans, the Type 95 proved auseful vehicle, but once confronted byAmerican tanks and anti-tank guns itwas outclassed.SpecificationType 95Crew: 4Weight: 7400 kg (16,314 lb)Dimensions: length 4.38 m (14 ft 4 in);width 2.057 m (6 ft 9 in); height 2.184 m(7 ft 2 in) Powerplant: one Mitsubishi NVD 6120six-cylinder air-cooled diesel enginedeveloping 120 hp (89 kW)Performance: maximum road speed45 km/h (28 mph); maximum range250 km (156 miles); fording 1.0 m (3 ft3 in); gradient 60 per cent; verticalobstacle 0.812 m (2 ft 8 in); trench 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in)
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