Type 95 So-Ki

Type 95 So-Ki Armored Railroad car
Type Armored car[1]
Place of origin  Empire of Japan
Production history
Number built 121 to 135[1][2]
Specifications
Weight 8.7 tons
Length 4.9m
Width 2.56m
Height 2.54m (on rail line); 2.43 (on road)
Crew 6
Engine gasoline (petrol)
84 hp
Suspension wheeled or Bell crank
Speed (rail line) 72 km/h; (ground) 30 km/h

The Type 95 So-Ki was an armored railroad car of the Imperial Japanese Army used for patrolling and guarding railway lines in both Manchuria and Burma. The chassis was based on the Type 95 Ha-Go Light Tank.[2] The Type 95 So-Ki had light armor and no weapons armament. It had a simple suspension system. Bogie wheels were suspended on bell cranks on each side. The tracks were driven through the front sprockets. There were three small return wheels. The Type 95 So-Ki was unique as it had both a track and wheel drive system. The vehicle could be changed from between railway line wheels mode and track mode for ground use within a few minutes time. In addition, the width of the wheels could be adjusted to the various widths of the rail gauges.[1][2]

Type 95 So-Ki with mounted crew

Produced between 1935 and 1943, with 121 to 135 units made.[1][2]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army: Type 95 Armored Railroad Car "So-Ki"
  2. 1 2 3 4 Zaloga 2008, p. 24.

References

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