Type 98 Ko-Hi

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. The Type 98 half-tracks were considered "high speed" prime movers, capable of 30 mph when loaded. It had a diesel engine and a crew of 15. The Type 98 Ko-Hi was used to tow a Type 4 75 mm AA gun.

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. 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.
 * length:5.67 m
 * width:1.9 m
 * height:2.3 m
 * weight:6 ton