Mystery Japanese Tank

[scorpiodude]

For a while now me and some friends have been trying to find out some more info on this japanese tank. It looks like a Chi-Ha at first glance but a few things don't match up like the 2nd roller being more prominent than the recessed one on other Chi-Has or the exhaust being further forward. Personally I think it is some pre production or field modified one but if anybody has any info or ideas I'd be happy to hear them.

 

[royabulgaf]

What is the source of this photo? I am curious that it might be from a post-WWII movie.

 

[tom!]

Hi.

My opinion:

- A japanese standard medium tank suspension with six roadwheels and three return rollers
- almost horizontal engine compartment top
- standard muffler but in an unusual position
- long frontal mudguard
- two identical turret hatches opening to oposite sides on a slightly enheigted cylindrical cupola

This does not really fit to any introduced vehicle but it seems to be a Type 1 Chi-He-based vehicle as there are some details that does not fit to a Type 97 Chi-Ha or Shinhoto. Maybe a prototype?

Yours

tom!

 

[QAZ]

It's definitely a derivative of Chi-Ha/Chi-He. It could very well just be some prototype or one-off variant we may never see a good photo of. I would guess that it's a specialized vehicle of some sort.

The doubled central return roller is a bit weird, but not unseen for a Chi-Ha suspension, for example: Shi-Ki command tank prototype


As for what that particular tank is, there are several visually-unknown specialized variants that were planned/prototyped at some point. This is a diagram of a Chi-He-based observation tank named Ka-So, which is somewhat similar:



There are several noticeable discrepancies with the image even from this diagram, though.

 

[scorpiodude]

What is the source of this photo? I am curious that it might be from a post-WWII movie.

The source is apparently this person and there is also a few mentions of it on this russian livejournal

 

[tom!]

Hi.

.......

As for what that particular tank is, there are several visually-unknown specialized variants that were planned/prototyped at some point. This is a diagram of a Chi-He-based observation tank named Ka-So, which is somewhat similar:

View attachment 702486

There are several noticeable discrepancies with the image even from this diagram, though.

Interesting design, never heard of it. Where did you find the diagram?

Yours

tom!

 

[QAZ]

Hi.

.......

As for what that particular tank is, there are several visually-unknown specialized variants that were planned/prototyped at some point. This is a diagram of a Chi-He-based observation tank named Ka-So, which is somewhat similar:

View attachment 702486

There are several noticeable discrepancies with the image even from this diagram, though.

Interesting design, never heard of it. Where did you find the diagram?

Yours

tom!

日本の戦車, Tomio Hara's book

 

[LVisingr]

The very Russian blogger who posted the mysterious photo now apparently claims that it could possibly show a prototype of once-rumored Type 97 Ju-Ha heavy tank:

https://seryj221221.livejournal.com/513628.html
https://seryj221221.livejournal.com/543745.html
https://seryj221221.livejournal.com/561017.html

 

[QAZ]

In the first place, there is no conclusive evidence to say that a Type 97 Heavy Tank ever existed. That is wild speculation.
Moreover, if entertaining it, it's strange to suppose such a vehicle would be basically just a slight modification of Chi-Ha. There's little reason for that to exist.

 

[Dilandu]

Moreover, if entertaining it, it's strange to suppose such a vehicle would be basically just a slight modification of Chi-Ha. There's little reason for that to exist.

Well, it could be an experimental prototype, proof of concept for some idea, that was not essentially followed.