Type 97 Te-Ke tankette | |
|---|---|
| Country | Empire of Japan |
| Role | Tankette |
| Produced | 1936-1944 |
| Built | 616 |
The Type 97 Light armored car Te-Ke (九七式軽装甲車 テケ, Kyū-nana-shiki kei sōkōsha Teke) was a tankette used by the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second Sino-Japanese War, at Nomonhan against the Soviet Union, and in World War II. It was designed as a fast reconnaissance vehicle, and was a replacement for the earlier Type 94 tankette.
| Type 97 Te-Ke Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 69 |
See also:
General Characteristics
The Type 97 Te-Ke was a Japanese tankette (a very small armored vehicle) developed as a replacement for the earlier Type 94 TK. Its primary role was armed reconnaissance, liaison, and infantry support, not engaging enemy tanks. It featured a major redesign from its predecessor, including moving the engine to the rear and the commander’s turret forward to improve communication between the two-man crew. Due to its light weight, it was successfully used in campaigns like the Second Sino-Japanese War where infrastructure was poor, but its thin armor proved highly vulnerable against Allied forces.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Role | Tankette, Reconnaissance |
| National Origin | Empire of Japan |
| Produced | 1937–1944 |
| No. Built | 616 |
| Crew | 2 (Commander/Gunner/Loader and Driver) |
| Mass (Combat Weight) | 4.7 tonnes (10,361 lb) |
| Length | 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in) |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Powerplant and Mobility
- Engine: Ikegai air-cooled inline 4-cylinder diesel engine.
- Engine Power: 48 kW (65 hp).
- Power/Weight Ratio: Approximately 10 hp/tonne.
- Maximum Speed (Road): 42 km/h (26 mph).
- Operational Range: 250 km (160 mi).
- Suspension: Bell-crank and coil spring suspension, similar to the Type 94.
- Construction: Riveted steel armor plate construction.
Armament and Protection
- Main Armament: 37 mm Type 94 tank gun (Barrel length L/36.7) or 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun.
- Armament Note: The 37 mm gun was the intended armament, but many vehicles were fitted with the 7.7 mm machine gun due to production shortages.
- Ammunition Capacity: 102 shells (37 mm version).
- Maximum Armor (Hull/Turret): 12–16 mm (Frontal), 4–12 mm (Sides/Rear).
- Armor Vulnerability: The thin armor was vulnerable to dedicated anti-tank rifles and even heavy machine guns like the American .50 caliber Browning.
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