The half-track was first manufactured in 1938 and given the official designation of the Type 98 half-tracked prime mover Ko-Hi.[1] The Type 98 half-tracks were considered "high speed" prime movers, capable of 48 km/h (30 mph) when loaded.[1] It had a diesel engine and a crew of 15.[1] The Type 98 Ko-Hi was used to tow a Type 4 75 mm AA gun.[2]
History
Front angle view of Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (short version) with canvas cover
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.[3][4] 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
Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track (long version)
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:
