The Type 2 Ke-To (二式軽戦車 ケト, Nishiki keisensha Ke-To) was a light tank of World War II, produced in small numbers for the Imperial Japanese Army as an improvement of the existing Type 98 Ke-Ni. No Type 2 Ke-To light tanks are known to have engaged in combat prior to Japan's surrender at the end of World War II.[4]
Rear view of a Type 2 Ke-To
Design
The Type 2 Ke-To was based on the Type 98 Ke-Ni, using the same engine and bell cranksuspension.[6] However, the gun turret was enlarged to provide greater space for the crewmen and the main armament was changed to the more powerful Type 1 37mm gun,[6] with a muzzle velocity of 800m/s.[1] The new 37mm gun used gave the tank "slightly better performance".[6] The conical turret also carried a 7.7mm machine-gun in a coaxial mount.[7] Besides these modifications, the tank was essentially the same as the Type 98 Ke-Ni, using the same hull, engine and having the same maximum armor plate.[1] The designation "Type 2" represented the Japanese Imperial Year 2602 (1942 AD), "Ke" represented "light", and "To" represented the number seven.[4][8]
Production
Production commenced in 1944, with 34 units completed by the end of the war.[3][4] No Type 2 Ke-To light tanks are known to have engaged in combat prior to Japan's surrender at the end of World War II.[4]
Variants
Prototype Type 2 Ke-To based work vehicle
Prototype work vehicle
An experimental "work vehicle" based on the Type 2 Ke-To light tank was produced in 1944. The armament consisted of a Type 97 7.7mm machine gun in a smaller, modified turret. It was equipped with a 30kw generator, a flood light for night work and a light crane behind the tower.[9]
Type 4 work vehicle
An engineering vehicle developed in late 1944 on the chassis of the Type 2 Ke-To light tank. It was equipped with a dozer blade on the front end for use in airfield construction. It was also equipped with a 30kw generator to power tools and a flood light for night work. The exact number produced is not known.[10]
Type 4 Ke-Nu light tank
According to Japanese author and researcher Akira Takizawa, the Type 4 Ke-Nu light tank, was a variant of the Type 2 Ke-To featuring a new turret and a Type 1 47 mm tank gun. A total of Twenty-eight incomplete tanks were found at the Kobeseiko factory at the end of war.[11]
