Type 3 Ka-Chi

The Type 3 Ka - Chi (Japanese特 三 式 内火艇 カチ, toku -san- shiki uchibitei ka -chi, dt "Special Type 3 Ka - Chi motorboat " ) was a Japanese Amphibious Tank of World War II.

History and inserts

Type 3 Ka - Chi was the heavy version of the floating tank Type 2 Ka - Intl. The end of 1943 (equivalent to year Kōki 2603, hence the model designation ), the first vehicles were put into service and deployed in January 1944 on Kwajallein Atoll for the first time. There, the vehicles were, however, different from their original purpose, used as static coastal defense. The U.S. soldiers managed to capture one of the vehicles. This recognized the suitability of the type 3 for its original task. Some components were adopted and proved in vehicles that took part in the landings in Normandy, to be extremely effective. Overall, only 19 cars were built and scattered throughout the Pacific region due to lack of production capacities.

Technology

Chassis and suspension were borrowed from the tank Type 1 Chi -He in large parts. However, a boat hull was, as usual for swimming tank installed. Also the tower corresponded broadly to that of type 1 However, he had a dome- shaped elevation above the conning tower hatch, so the commander could operate from a position even when the water ride. The exhaust was fitted over the rear of the tank and sticking straight up, to prevent water ingress into the engine compartment. The tank had internal buoyancy chambers. In addition, outside steel floats were attached, which generated additional lift. The latter were dropped after landing.