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Type 97 Te-Ke

The Type 97 was developed as a direct replacement for the Type 94, following the development of a diesel prototype in 1937. The Type 97 was a considerable improvement over its predecessor, with a wider wheelbase, a slightly more practical turret design, and a more effective engine. Armor protection was still riveted, but the quality thereof was somewhat improved, though the thickness of plate was essentially the same. In addition, the asbestos lining successfully tested in the Type 94 was installed throughout, and adapted as standard to all Japanese vehicles in the field.

The Type 97 retained a two man crew, but armament was altered to accommodate the 37mm anti-tank gun then being successfully utilized by the Type 95 Ha-Go. Because of a shortage of these weapons, some examples of the Type 97 shipped with 7.7mm light machine guns, but all other features remained essentially the same.

The technical assignment for the next armored vehicle implied higher levels of protection and firepower. Since the construction of the Type 94 had a certain potential in terms of development, the new Type 97, also known as Te-Ke, in fact became its deep modernization. For this reason, the suspension and design of the Te-Ke case was almost completely similar to the corresponding Type 94 units. At the same time, there were differences. The combat weight of the new tank has grown to 4.75 tons, which, in combination with the new more powerful engine, could lead to serious changes in balancing. To avoid too much load on the front track rollers, the OHV engine was placed in the rear of the tank. The two-stroke diesel engine developed power up to 60 hp.

At the same time, an increase in engine power did not entail an improvement in ride quality. The speed of the "Type 97" remained at the level of the previous tank "TK". Moving the engine to the stern required a change in the layout and shape of the front of the hull. So, thanks to the increase in free volumes in the bow of the tank, it was possible to make a more ergonomic workplace of the driver with a more comfortable "cutting" protruding above the front and top sheets of the hull.

The Type 97 protection level was slightly higher than that of the Type 94. Now the whole body was going from 12-millimeter sheets. In addition, the upper part of the hull sides had a thickness of 16 millimeters. Such an interesting feature was due to the angles of inclination of the sheets. Since the frontal was located at a greater angle to the horizontal than the side, a different thickness allowed to provide the same level of protection from all angles.

The crew of the Type 97 tank consisted of two people. They did not have any special observation devices and used only viewing slits and sights. The workplace of the tank commander was located in the fighting compartment in the turret. He had a gun of 37 mm caliber and a 7.7 mm machine gun. The gun "Type 94" with a wedge gate was manually charged. Ammunition of 66 armor-piercing and fragmentation shells fit along the sides, inside the hull of the tank. The penetration rate of the armor-piercing projectile was about 35 millimeters from a distance of 300 meters. The twin machine gun "Type 97" had more than 1,700 rounds of ammunition. Ammunition of 66 armor-piercing and fragmentation shells fit along the sides, inside the hull of the tank.

Serial production of tanks "Type 97" began in 1938-39, respectively. Before its termination in 1942, about six hundred combat vehicles were assembled. Appearing at the very end of the thirties, "Te-Ke" managed to participate in almost all military conflicts of the time, from the battles in Manchuria to the landing operations of 1944. At first, the industry could not cope with the release of the required number of tanks, so it was necessary to distribute them between the units with special care. The use of the "Type 97" in battles proceeded with varying success: poor armor did not provide protection against a considerable part of the enemy's firepower, and its own weaponry could not provide adequate firepower and effective fire range. In 1940, an attempt was made to install a new cannon with a longer barrel and the same caliber on the Te-Ke. The initial velocity of the projectile increased by one hundred meters per second and reached a level of 670-680 m/s. However, over time, the failure of this weapon also became clear.

One unforseen design flaw of the Type 94 had been that, when the turret was turned to face forward, the driver's hatch could not be opened. This was corrected, and a rear access door was added as well, allowing both members of the crew to quickly enter or exit the Type 97. One feature which was retained, however, was the use of a towing hitch for the Type 97; the Type 97 was not, apparently, used in the role of ammunition carrier or gun tractor quite as frequently as had been the Type 94, but it was more than capable of doing so.

While quite an improvement over its predecessor, the Type 97 was still, ultimately, a tankette, and crews who made the mistake of closing with heavier vehicles rarely lived to regret it.

Tankette model 97 (1937)

Various specifications have been reported for a tank of this size. It is not certain if these refer to several different models of the M2597 or whether they relate to an even later model, the M2598 (1938). The suspension of this tank remains unchanged from that of the M2594 tankette. The hull, however, has been completely redesigned. More room has been provided in the turret to accommodate the 37-mm tank gun. As an alternative, a machine gun sometimes is mounted in place of the 37-mm weapon. Particular attention has been paid to a more simple design of the front plate and improved deflection angles. This tank is powered by a 4 cylinder, in line, air-cooled Diesel engine of 48 horsepower. Engine specifications indicate, however, that this engine would theoretically develop 105 hp at 2000 rpm.