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The Type 95 Heavy Tank was the last entry in a series of multi-turreted tanks developed in Japan between 1925 and the late 1930s, none of which entered production.
The Type 95 was developed from the Type 91 Heavy Tank. It carried thicker armour than the earlier tank, and was more heavily armed. Where the Type 91 carried one large gun and three machine guns, the Type 95 carried one 70mm cannon and one 6.5mm machine gun in the central turret, a 37mm cannon in the front turret and a 6.5mm machine gun in the rear turret.
The suspension system was also modified. Where the Type 91 had 17 or 18 road wheels on each side the Type 95 had nine, carried on a leaf spring suspension system.
Sources differ on the number of Type 95 Heavy Tanks completed, but numbers were very small at either one or four. Despite the use of a more powerful 290hp engine, the Type 95 Heavy Tank had a top speed just under 14mph, and despite a decade of effort this line of heavy tanks failed to enter production.
Names
Ju Sensha 2595 Gata 95
Type 95 Heavy Tank
Stats
Number produced: 1 or 4
Produced: 1934
Length: 21.25ft/ 6.47m
Hull Width: 8.8ft/ 2.7m
Height: 9.5ft/ 2.9m
Crew: 5 or 6
Weight: 24 tons
Engine: 290hp diesel engine
Top speed: 13.7mph/ 22 km/h
Max Range: 110km
Main Turret: One 70mm gun and one 6.5mm machine gun
Front Turret: One 37mm gun
Rear Turret: One 6.5mm machine gun
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Front |
Side |
Hull Armour |
35mm |
12mm |
Turret |
30mm |
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Japanese Tanks, 1939-45, Steven J. Zaloga, Osprey New Vanguard 137. A well written and illustrated look at the tanks produced for the Japanese army from the late 1920s to the end of the Second World War. This is a good overview of this neglected subject, looking at both the development of their tanks and their use in combat. [see more]
