Japanese Armored Cars

Armored Cars - Railroad Cars - Carriers - Staff Cars - Trucks - Motorcycles - Trailers

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Model 25 Vickers Crossley Armored Car "DOWA"

Not all sources agree on the term "DOWA"

*Specifications*
Weight	5.4 tons
Length	16' 6"
Width	6' 2"
Height	8' 6"
Ground Clearance	10"
Crew	4
Armament	2 Vickers MG
Ammunition	3500 rounds
Armor	5.5mm
Engine	4cyl, 50 hp
Speed	40 mph

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Austin Armored Car

No details are known.

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Model 91 Broad-gauge Railroad Tractor

At times some books will refer to a Type 2593 "Sumida" Armored Car in the Japanese inventory. Careful research has found this label to be an error. Type 2593 "Sumida" Armored Car is the Model 91 Broad-gauge Railroad Tractor.

*Specifications*
Weight	7.5 tons
Length	21' 6"
Width	6' 3"
Height	9' 8"
Ground Clearance	16"
Crew	6
Armament	1 MG
Armor	Up to 16 mm
Engine	40 hp
Speed	37 mph rail, 25 mph road.

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Type 2592 Osaka HoKoKu-Go Armored Car

This AC is called the Hokoku Armored Car in Japan.

*Specifications*
Weight	6.4 tons
Length	16' 5"
Width	6'
Height	8' 8"
Ground Clearance	11"
Crew	4 - 5
Armament	2 x MG
Armor	8 - 11mm
Engine	4 cyl, 35hp

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Type 2592 "Kokusan" Armored Car
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Type 2592 "Chokei Sensha" Armored Car
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Type 2592 Chiyoda Armored Car

Chiyoda AC was the modified type of "Chiyoda 6-Wheeled Track", deployed to Naval Landing Units. Correct name and tech data is unknown.

Model 92 Naval Armored Car

*Specifications*
Weight	7 tons
Length	15' 9"
Width	5' 11"
Height	7' 6"
Ground Clearance	16"
Crew	4
Armament	5 x MG
Armor	8 to 11 mm
Engine	6 cyl, 85hp

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Model 92 "Chiysda" Armored Car
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Type 2593 "Sumida" Armored Car

Model 93 Staff Car

This 6 wheeled staff car was developed over a period of years. Originally, Hudson and Studebaker chassis' were used, but a Japanese chassis ultimately was developed. Specifications show a poor power to weight ratio.

*Specifications*
Weight	5720 lb.
Length	17' 8"
Width	6' 4"
Height	6' 6"
Wheelbase	8' 11"
Clearance	11"
Engine	6cyl, gasoline, 68 hp
Transmission	4 forward, 1 reverse
Final drive reduction	5.25 to 1

Model 94 3/4 Ton Tracked Trailer

Designed for towing behind various model tankettes. Extensively used in China for transportation of supplies and ammunition. Built by pressed steel construction. Suspension consisted of 2 bogie wheels with front and rear idlers. The track was similar to that used on tankettes.

Isuzu Hucks Starter

The Hucks Starter was invented in 1917 by B. C. Hucks of the RFC. The purpose was to provide a truck mounted aircraft engine starter. On this example, abandoned by it's operator and then captured by US troops, the starter is seen here as chain driven from the transmission.

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Model 95 4x4 Scout Car
The Kurogane "Black Medal"

Lightweight, unarmed reconnaissance vehicle. Development started after the Manchurian Incident when the need for an all purpose scout car became pressing. The air cooled engine was designed to be operated in the climates of China and Manchuria. This vehicle was truely a native Japanese design as most others in service at the time were based on American vehicles.

*Specifications*
Weight	2310 - 2425 lbs
Length	134"
Width	60"
Height	66"
Clearance	9"
Tread	50"
Wheelbase	79"
Engine	2 cyl, gasoline, 33 hp
Transmission	3 forward, 1 reverse

Type 2595 Armored Railroad Car "So-Ki"

Developed to patrol South Manchuria railroad. So-Ki had both tracks for field and wheels for railway. Wheels are put away in the bottom of hull usually. So-Ki could easily change width of wheels, so it could run narrow, standard, and broad gauge rail. When changing from track mode to railway mode, it took just only 3 minutes (railroad mode to track mode, 1 minute). 121 units were produced.

*Specifications*
Weight	8.7t
Crew	6
Length	4900mm
Width	2500mm
Height	2430mm (track mode) 2540mm (rail mode)
Armor	8 - 4mm
Armament	None - Designed with 5 gun slits.
Engine	6 cyl. Gasoline, 84hp
Max speed	72km/h railway 40km/h railway w/trailer 30km/h on road 20km/h off road

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Model 97 Nissan 4x2 Truck

First produced in 1937 in combination with Graham Paige and original Japanese designs. This truck was a cab-over-engine type due to the narrowness of Japanese roads. The front axle was found to be too weak and difficult to keep the wheels aligned. Further problems of power ratio showed as well as excessive front tire wear. A large number of these units were produced before an improved model of more conventional design was developed.

*Specifications*
Weight	2880 lb.
Length	169.5"
Width	80"
Wheelbase	104"
Clearance	9.5"
Maximum Speed	50 mph
Engine	6cyl, gasoline, 85 hp
Final drive reduction	6.19 to 1
Transmission	4 forward, 1 reverse

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Model 97 Nissan Staff Car, Nissan 70

*Specifications*
Weight	3108 lb.
Length	186"
Width	67.5"
Height	69"
Wheelbase	110"
Clearance	8"
Engine	4cyl, gasoline, 85 hp, 3670 cc
Final drive reduction	4.09 to 1
Transmission	3 forward, 1 reverse

Model 97 Motorcycle

Very nearly a carbon copy of a Harley Davidson!

*Specifications*
Weight	1100 lb.
Length	8' 6"
Width w/Sidecar	5' 11"
Wheelbase	5' 3"
Clearance	8"
Engine	2cyl, gasoline, 25 hp, 1196 cc
Transmission	3 forward, 1 reverse

Type 2598 Railroad Car

Type 98 Railroad car was successer of Type 91 Railroad Car. It could run narrow, standard, broad gauge.

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Type 98 APC "Soda"

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Type 98 AA Halftrack "Ko-Hi"

Made by Isuzu

Type 100 Railroad Car

Successor to the Type 98 Railroad Car.

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Type 1 Armored Personnel Carrier "Ho-Ki"

*Specifications*
Weight	6.5 ton
Armor	6 mm
Performance	42 k/hr
Crew	up to 15

Type 1 Armored Personnel Carrier "Ho-Ha"

Built by Hino Motors. This captured vehicle was taken to the United States for study.

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Type One 4x2 Toyota GB and Nissan 180 Truck

An almost exact copy of a Chevrolet truck. The fact that two different companies made almost identical vehicles shows standardation.

*Specifications*
Weight	5500 lb.
Length	18' 10"
Width	6' 4"
Height	7' 5"
Wheelbase	15' 6"
Clearance	9"
Engine	6cyl, gasoline, 78 hp
Transmission	4 forward, 1 reverse
Final drive reduction	6.167 to 1

Type 1 Ho-Ha Half-Track

*Specifications*
Weight	6.5 ton
Armor	8 mm
Armament	3 x MG
Crew	up to 15

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Type-4 Ka-Tsu "Toku 4 Shiki Naikatei" Amphibious Personnel Carrier

This design never went beyond prototype before the war ended.

Japanese armored train in Manchuria

Naval Armored Cars

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Japanese Military "Trike"

The Sanrinsha had been originally developed as a commercial freight carrier. The Japanese Army adopted whatever units were available and had no real standard model. Load capacities on the various models in service ranged from 300 to 1000 pounds. Engine sizes ranged from 350 cc to 1000 cc and usually had 2 cylinders. Units were chain driven and had no differentials.

2 Wheel Towed Cart

Designed for high speed transport. All metal construction and was equipped with pneumatic tires.

Ford Armored Car


Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003