Development
During the 1930's Japan considered a limited mechanisation policy and their initial studies were based on wheeled Armoured Cars. However, the terrain in Asia required the use of fully tracked vehicles and development of small AFVs classified as Tankettes began in 1932. The vehicles were intended to carry out the role of an armed and armoured tractor able to tow a tracked trailer carrying supplies and ammunition up to forward positions.
The early Type 92 and Type 94 Tankettes in service with the Japanese in Manchuria and in China in the early 1930s proved troublesome. The most serious problem was the throwing of tracks during high speed turns, due to the short length of track in contact with the ground and the high positioned rear idler. The Type 97 was developed to overcome those problems.
Characteristics
The Type 97 was designed in accordance with more modern tank practice, incorporating a new hull with well sloped armour designed to contain an easily accessible rear mounted air-cooled diesel engine. The previous designs made use of a rear mounted Turret, but on the Type 97 the Turret was positioned towards the centre of the vehicle.
To overcome the track throwing problem, the Type 97 was designed with a large diameter trailing idler wheel, and wider track with centre guide teeth.
As with the previous Tankette designs, a proportion of Type 97 Tankettes were armed with a 7.7mm Machine Gun. For the reconnaissance role, a quantity of Type 97 Tankettes were armed with a 37 mm Gun. It was virtually unheard of at the time for such a small vehicle to mount this type of weapon. Though armed like a Tank, the Type 97 was at a serious disadvantage with its one man Turret operation. Similar tanks of the period were normally served by a turret crew of two or three.
Employment
Each Japanese Infantry Division in the mid 1930s was allocated a Tankette Company consisting of six Tankettes which were to be used as tractors to transport ammunition and equipment to the front line troops.
Later the vehicles were used for patrolling work and equipped the Infantry Division Reconnaissance Regiments.
Type 97 Tankettes were Japan's most widely used Tankette and were the last of the type produced by the Japanese. The vehicles were used in action throughout the war in Asia and the Pacific, but were easy prey for the later Allied Tanks or to Artillery firing high explosive rounds.
A number of special purpose AFVs were developed from the Type 97 - including an Artillery Observation Vehicle, an Armoured Personnel Carrier and a Prime Mover.
This Particular Vehicle
This vehicle was captured by Australian forces during the closing stages of the Pacific War.
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