Type 3 Ka-Chi Amphibious Tank

Last updated on February 17th, 2019 at 09:49 pm

The Type 3 Ka-Chi amphibious tank was used by Japan’s Imperial Navy.

Its design was based on that of the Chi-He medium tank.

The Ka-Chi amphibious tank had two pontoons, one at the bow and one at the stern, which could be detached when the tank was on land. When the Ka-Chi was in the water, the captain used twin rudders to steer two propellers that drove the tank through the water.

Type 3 Ka-Chi Amphibious Tank
With an all-welded construction and weighing slightly over 28 tons, the Ka-Chi carried a 1.85 inch (47mm) main gun and two 0.303 inch (7.7mm) machine guns, one of which was coaxial.

A cylindrical chimney over the turret could be used as an escape hatch, similar to that in a submarine.

The Type 3 Ka-Chi amphibious tank was manned by a crew of seven.

Japan

Type 3 Ka-Chi Amphibious

Active: 1942
Crew: 7
Weight: 28.3 tons (28,700kg)
Length: 33ft 9.5in (10.3m)
Height: 12ft 6.5in (3.82m)
Width: 9ft 10in (3m)
Weapons: Main – 1.85in (47mm) gun, Secondary – 2 x 0.303in (7.7mm) machineguns
Armor Maximum – 1.97in (50mm)
Engine: Mitsubishi 100 V12 diesel, 240hp
Speed: 19.9mph (32kph)
Range: 198.2 miles (319 km)