• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Tankette model 92 (1932)

Development of the tankette has been progressive. In China it was used on a wide scale by Japan in a cavalry and reconnaissance role. In addition it is employed for towing tracked trailers carrying supplies and ammunition. Both welded and riveted construction are used throughout the hull. The suspension is an early Japanese development. Four point suspension of the hull is achieved by use of bell cranks, resisted by armored compression springs on each side. Four rubber tired bogie wheels, two return rollers, and outside center guide tracks are used. Front sprocket drive and left rear mounted engine are employed.

Light tank model 93 (1933)

This tank represents the early development of the light tank series. The box type hull is divided into three compartments. The center portion is the fighting compartment, the superstructure of which overhangs the tracks. The right hand side at the front of the fighting compartment is extended forward to form a sponson for the ball mounted machine gun. The driver sits left, while the hull gunner sits right, in the forward compartment. The 6 cylinder gasoline engine is mounted to the rear of the hull. The suspension consists of six small,rubber-tired bogie wheels mounted on three semi-elliptic springs on each side. There are three return rollers. Front sprocket drive and center guide track are employed. The turret mounts one machine gun to the front, while some photographs show another mounted in the rear. Traverse 360°.

Light tank model 93 (1933) improved

Probably produced in 1933-34, this tank is an improved model of the M2593 in that the suspension has 4 bogie wheels coupled together in pairs via transverse even lever. It is not clear whether the apex is mounted to the hull by means of a bell crank or a stub shaft. Likewise it is not clear whether the armored compression spring is used at this stage of development. Two return rollers are used, as well as front sprocket drive. The hull of this vehicle is almost identical with that of the previous model.