Type 93 Kokusan (Hokoku-Go)

History

In the years leading up to World War II, Imperial Japan procured many different types of foreign trucks, which later became the basis for several armored vehicles of the Japanese army. Introduced around 1932, the Type 93 Kokusan was a development based on an existing Ford truck chassis.

The chassis retains the truck's 6x6 wheel arrangement on three axles (one front, two rear), with the rear axles paired adjusted to offset the sheer weight of the mounted armor and machine guns. Removable metal wheels are located behind the front axle. The armored hull structure encapsulates the engine block in the front, the driver's position in the middle, and the gunner's fighting compartment in the rear.

The end result, with its high profile and multi-wheeled manner, is typical of post-World War I armored vehicles.

In practice, these vehicles proved their worth in urban combat, as well as against less armed and protected enemies. They're awkwardly designed and have a large turning radius, but overall they perform well in their roles. Dimensions include a length of 4.8 meters, a width of 1.83 meters and a height of 2.3 meters to the top of the tower. Turrets were added to the rear of the superstructure, giving it an impressive 360-degree view of the vehicle, allowing it to engage targets from all angles.

A typical crew of six includes the driver, commander, and any applicable gunners. Armor thickness (bolt steel armor) varies from 4mm to 11mm, giving the crew some protection against small arms fire. This protection quickly gave way under large-caliber fire.

A vehicle can hold up to 5 x 6.5mm Series 91 machine guns, one on the turret, one on the cab front panel, and several for protecting the sides of the vehicle. An optional bracket on the turret can be used as an anti-aircraft installation.

The Model 93 retains the Ford powerplant for convenience. These are locally licensed versions of the 6-cylinder Ford powerplant rated at 85 hp. Combined with its drivetrain, chassis and hull design, and wheel arrangement, the vehicle can travel up to 50 miles per hour on the road.

Kokusan is known to have been used against China to good effect, usually by the Imperial Japanese Navy in support of army or naval operations. Production is believed to have reached about 50 units.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

1,000 x .30 caliber ammo

2,000 x 6.5mm ammo.

Changes