List of Japanese weapons for future campaigns

Mess Room
21

will it ever be a fair fight regarding tank vs tank? against US?

22

No Japanese tanks which were sent to battlefield can penetrate front armor of M4 Sherman
In other hand, all US tanks can penetrate from armor of all Japanese tanks which were sent to battlefield.

In case of early battles, there were only M3 Stuarts so it will be fair battle, but late war battle will be a non-balanced battle
(front armor of M4 Sherman is 50 mm, but it have inclined armor so it is difficult for Chi-Ha’s 47 mm cannon to penetrate it)

If implement SPGs like Ho-Ni I and Ho-Ro, Japanese tanker can destroy M4 Sherman but they are not well-protected so infantry can destroy such vehicles easily.

p.s.
“Protection Analysis” from War Thunder

M4A1 vs Japanese 47 mm Type 1 APHE (Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai)

M4A2 vs Japanese 47mm Type 1 APHE (Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai)

M3 Stuart vs Japanese 37 mm Type 94 APHE (Type 95 Ha-Go)

M3 Stuart vs Japanese 57 mm Type 92 APHE (Type 97 Chi-Ha)

M3 Stuart vs Japanese 47 mm Type 1 APHE (Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai)

Type 89 I-Go vs American 12.7 mm AP

Type 95 Ha-Go vs American 12.7 mm AP

Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai vs American 12.7 mm AP

Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai vs American 37 mm M74 AP (M3 Stuart)

1 Like
23

Japanese Aircrafts used during 1936-45

Japanese had lots of domestic-design military aircraft during Asia-Pacific War. This sheet list mass-produced fighters and bombers used during the war. It contains basic performance which is affecting to the game and I hope it will be help for you to consider about future Japanese campaigns.

Note:

  • Prototype aircrafts are not included.
  • Alphabet after machine guns mean subtypes.
    A: Ko
    B: Otsu
    C: Hei
    D: Tei
  • For details, please refer to books or websites. For purpose of searching I listed Japanese official names, project numbers and allied code names.

Single-Engine Fighter

Army

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 95 Fighter Model 1
九五式戦闘機一型		 Ki-10-I
“Perry”		 1935 300 400km/h 2x 7.7mm N/A
Type 95 Fighter Model 2
九五式戦闘機二型		 Ki-10-II
“Perry”		 1937 280 400km/h 2x 7.7mm N/A
Type 97 Fighter
九七式戦闘機		 Ki-27
“Nate”		 1937 3,386 470km/h 2x7.7mm N/A
Type 1 Fighter Model 1 "Hayabusa"
一式戦闘機一型 “隼”		 Ki-43-I
“Oscar”		 1941 767 495km/h 2x7.7mm (A)
1x7.7mm + 1x12.7mm (B)
2x12.7mm (C )		 N/A
Type 1 Fighter Model 2 "Hayabusa"
一式戦闘機二型 “隼”		 Ki-43-II
“Oscar”		 1943 3,831 355km/h 2x12.7mm 2x250kg
Type 1 Fighter Model 3 "Hayabusa"
一式戦闘機三型 “隼”		 Ki-43-III
“Oscar”		 1944 1,153 576km/h 2x12.7mm 2x250kg
Type 2 Fighter Model 1 "Shoki"
二式戦闘機一型 “鍾馗”		 Ki-44-I
"Tojo"		 1942 40 605km/h 2x7.7mm+ 2x12.7mm (A)
4x12.7mm (B/C)		 2x100kg
Type 2 Fighter Model 2 "Shoki"
二式戦闘機二型 “鍾馗”		 Ki-44-II
"Tojo"		 1942 1,173 605km/h 4x12.7mm (A/C)
2x40mm+ 2x12.7mm (B)		 2x100kg
Type 3 Fighter Model 1 "Hien"
三式戦闘機一型 “飛燕”		 Ki-61-I
“Tony”		 1943 2,600 590km/h 2x7.7mm+ 2x12.7mm (A)
4x12.7mm (B)
2x12.7mm+ 2x20mm(C/D)		 2x250kg
Type 3 Fighter Model 2 "Hien"
三式戦闘機二型 “飛燕”		 Ki-61-II Kai
"Tony"		 1945 390 610km/h 2x12.7mm+ 2x20mm 2x250kg
Type 4 Fighter Model I "Hayate"
四式戦闘機一型 “疾風”		 Ki-84-I
"Frank"		 1944 3,500 660km/h 2x20mm+ 2x12.7mm (A)
4x20mm (B)		 2x250kg
Ki-100
キ100		 Ki-100 1945 393 580km/h 2x20mm+ 2x12.7mm 2x250kg

Navy

Carrier-Based Fighter

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 96 Mark 1
Carrier-Based Fighter
九六式一号艦上戦闘機		 A5M1
"Claude"		 1936 30 405km/h 2x7.7mm 2x30g
Type 96 Mark 2
Carrier-Based Fighter
九六式二号艦上戦闘機		 A5M2
"Claude"		 1937(mod1)
1938(mod2)		 39 km/h 2x7.7mm 2x30g
Type 96 Mark 4
Carrier-Based Fighter
九六式四号艦上戦闘機		 A5M4
"Claude"		 1939 1,000 435km/h 2x7.7mm 2x30g
Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 11
零式艦上戦闘機一一型		 A6M2a
"Zeke"		 1940 64 517km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm		 2x60kg
Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 21
零式艦上戦闘機二一型		 A6M2b
"Zeke"		 1940 3,561 533km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm		 2x60kg
Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 32
零式艦上戦闘機三二型		 A6M3
"Zeke"		 1942 343 544km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm		 2x60kg
Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 22
零式艦上戦闘機二二型		 A6M3
"Zeke"		 1942 560 540km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm		 2x60kg
Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 52
零式艦上戦闘機五二型		 A6M5
"Zeke"		 1943 6,000 565km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm(A/B)
1x7.7mm+
1x13.2mm+
2x20mm(B)
3x13.2mm+
2x20mm(C )		 2x60kg
Rockets(C)
Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 63
零式艦上戦闘機六三型		 A6M7
"Zeke"		 1945 Hundreds 565km/h 2x20mm+
2x13.2mm		 1x500kg
Rockets

Interceptors

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 2 Seaplane Fighter
二式水上戦闘機		 A6M2-N
"Rufe"		 1942 327 437km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm		 2x60kg
Kyofu
強風		 N1K1
"Rex"		 1943 97 488km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm		 2x60kg
Shiden Model 11
紫電一一型		 N1K1-J
"George"		 1943 1,000 570km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm		 2x60kg
Shiden Model 21
紫電二一型		 N1K2-J
"George"		 1945 200 570km/h 4x20mm 2x250kg
Rockets
Raiden Model 11
雷電一一型		 J2M2
"Jack"		 1944 155 596km/h 2x7.7mm+
2x20mm		 2x30kg
Raiden Model 21
雷電二一型		 J2M3
"Jack"		 1944 350 611km/h 4x20mm 2x60kg
Raiden Model 33
雷電三三型		 J2M5
"Jack"		 1944 30 611km/h 4x20mm 2x60kg
Rockets

Twin-Engine Fighter

Army

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter "Toryu"
二式複座戦闘機 “屠龍”		 Ki-45 Kai
"Nick"		 1942 1704 547km/h 2x12.7mm+ 1x20mm (A)
2x12.7mm+ 1x37mm (B)
1x20mm+
1x37mm (C )
1x37mm (D)		 2x250kg
Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Plane Model 3
一〇〇式司令部偵察機三型		 Ki-46-III
"Dinah"		 1944 75 630km/h 2x20mm (B) N/A
キ102
Ki-102		 Ki-102
"Randy"		 1944-45 215 580km/h 2x20mm+
1x37mm (A)
2x20mm+
1x57mm (B)		 2x250kg

Navy

Summary

Fixed machine gun of the Gekko (J1N1-S) was only Schraege Musik, so I did not list it.

Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 2 Ground-Based Reconnaissance Plane
二式陸上偵察機		 J1N1-R 1942 507km/h 1x20mm+
2x7.7mm		 2x250kg

Single-Engine Bomber

Army

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 88 Light Bomber
八八式軽爆撃機		 N/A 1931 407 210km/h 1x7.7mm total 200kg
Type 93 Single-Engine Light Bomber
九三式単発軽爆撃機		 Ki-2 1933 243 260km/h 1x7.7mm total 500kg
Type 97 Light Bomber
九七式軽爆撃機		 Ki-30
"Ann"		 1937 686 423km/h 1x7.7mm total 450kg
Type 98 Light Bomber
九八式軽爆撃機		 Ki-32
"Mary"		 1938 854 423km/h 1x7.7mm 4x100kg
Type 98 Co-Operation Reconnaissance Plane
九八式直接協同偵察機		 Ki-36
"Ida"		 1938 1,334 349km/h 1x7.7mm 1x 250kg
Type 99 Attacker
九九式襲撃機		 Ki-51
"Sonia"		 1939 2,385 (*1) 424km/h 2x7.7mm
or 2x12.7mm		 total 200kg

(*1) Include both Type 99 Attacker and Type 99 Army Reconnaissance Plane.

Navy

Carrier-Based Torpedo Bomber

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 89 Carrier-Based Attacker
八九式艦上攻撃機		 B2M 1932 204 228km/h 1x7.7mm total 800kg
Type 92 Carrier-Based Attacker
九二式艦上攻撃機		 B3Y 1933 128 218km/h 1x7.7mm total 800kg
Type 96 Carrier-Based Attacker
九六式艦上攻撃機		 B4Y
"Jean"		 1936 200 277km/h 1x7.7mm 1x800kg
Type 97 Mark 1/3 Carrier-Based Attacker
九七式一号/三号艦上攻撃機		 B5N
"Kate"		 1937 1,400 377km/h N/A 1x800kg
Type 97 Mark 2 Carrier-Based Attacker
九七式二号艦上攻撃機		 B5M
"Mable"		 1937 150 381km/h N/A 1x800kg
Tenzan Model 11
天山一一型		 B6N1
"Jill"		 1943 124 465km/h 1x7.7mm 1x800kg
Tenzan Model 12
天山二一型		 B6N2
"Jill"		 1943 1,140 481km/h N/A 1x800kg
Ryusei
流星		 B7A
"Grace"		 1944 114 542km/h 2x20mm 1x800kg

Carrier-Based Dive Bomber

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 94 Carrier-Based Bomber
九四式艦上爆撃機		 D1A1
"Susie"		 1934 162 281km/h 2x7.7mm 1x250kg+
2x30kg
Type 96 Carrier-Based Bomber
九六式艦上爆撃機		 D1A2
"Susie"		 1936 428 309km/h 2x7.7mm 1x250kg+
2x30kg
Type 99 Carrier-Based Bomber Model 11
九九式艦上爆撃機一一型		 D3A1
"Val"		 1939 476 381km/h 2x7.7mm 1x250kg+
2x60kg
Type 99 Carrier-Based Bomber Model 22
九九式艦上爆撃機二二型		 D3A1
"Val"		 1943 1,036 427km/h 2x7.7mm 1x250kg+
2x60kg
Suisei Model 11
彗星一一型		 D4Y1
"Judy"		 1943 705 546km/h 2x7.7mm 1x500kg
Suisei Model 12
彗星一二型		 D4Y2
"Judy"		 1944 710 579km/h 2x7.7mm 1x500kg+
2x60kg
Suisei Model 33
彗星三三型		 D4Y3
"Judy"		 1944 830 547km/h 2x7.7mm 3x250kg

Seaplane

Summary

Purpose of reconnaissance seaplanes was not only reconnaissance but also provide air cover for fleet and bomb enemy ship. In this list, floatplane without bomb and submarine-launcher planes are not listed.
In some ground battles (eg. Battle of Shanghai), fleet seaplanes see service.

Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Front
Gun		 Bomb
Type 90 Mark 2 Reconnaissance Seaplane
九〇式二号水上偵察機		 E4N 1930 152 232km/h 2x7.7mm 2x60kg
Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane
九四式水上偵察機		 E7K
"Alf"		 1934 530 239km/h 1x7.7mm 2x60kg
Type 95 Reconnaissance Seaplane
九五式水上偵察機		 E8N
"Dave"		 1935 750 299km/h 1x7.7mm 2x30kg
Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane
零式水上偵察機		 E13A
"Jake"		 1940 1,423 367km/h 1x7.7mm 1x250kg
Type 0 Observation Seaplane
零式水上観測機		 F1N
"Pete"		 1940 1,005 370km/h 2x7.7mm 2x60kg
Shiun
紫雲		 E15K
"Norm"		 1943 15 468km/h N/A 2x60kg
Zuiun
瑞雲		 E16A
"Paul"		 1943 220 448km/h 2x20mm 1x250kg

Twin-Engine Bomber

Army

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Bomb
Type 93 Heavy Bomber
九三式重爆撃機		 Ki-1 1933 219 220km/h total
1,500kg
Type 93 Twin-Engine Light Bomber
九三式双発軽爆撃機		 Ki-2
"Louise"		 1933 174 255km/h ~
283km/h		 total
500kg
Type 97 Heavy Bomber
九七式重爆撃機		 Ki-21
"Sally"		 1937 2,055 432km/h ~
473km/h		 20x50kg /
10x100kg /
4x250kg /
2x500kg
Type I Heavy Bomber
イ式重爆撃機 (*1)		 BR.20
"Ruth"		 1938 85 430km/h total
1,000kg
Type 99 Twin-Engine Light Bomber
九九式双発軽爆撃機		 Ki-48
"Lily"		 1939 1,997 505km/h 8x50kg /
4x100kg /
2x250kg /
1x500kg /
1x800kg
Type 100 Heavy Bomber
"Donryu"
一〇〇式重爆撃機 “呑龍”		 Ki-49
"Helen"		 1940 819 470km/h ~
500km/h		 12x50kg /
4x250kg /
1x500kg /
1x800kg
Type 4 Heavy Bomber
"Hiryu"
四式重爆撃機 “飛竜”		 Ki-67
"Peggy"		 1944 635 537km/h 15x50kg /
8x100kg /
3x250kg /
1x500kg /
1x800kg

(*1) “I” is initial of “Italy”.

Navy

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Bomb
Type 95 Ground-Based Attacker
九五式陸上攻撃機		 G2H1 1936 8 244km/h 6x250kg /
4x400kg
Type 96 Ground-Based Attacker
九六式陸上攻撃機		 G3M
"Nell"		 1936 1,048 348km/h ~
416km/h		 12x60kg /
2x250kg /
1x500kg /
1x800kg
Type 1 Ground-Based Attacker
一式陸上攻撃機		 G4M
"Betty"		 1940 2,435 453km/h ~
479km/h		 12x60kg /
4x250kg /
1x500kg /
1x800kg
Ginga
銀河		 P1Y
"Frances"		 1943 1,102 546km/h 2x250kg /
2x500kg /
1x800kg
Tokai
東海		 Q1W
"Lorna"		 1944 153 320km/h 2x250kg

Quad-Engine Bomber

Army

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Bomb
Type 92 Heavy Bomber
九二式重爆撃機		 Ki-20 1931 6 200km/h 36x50kg /
36x100kg /
16x200kg /
8x500kg /
4x500kg+
12x250kg

Navy

Summary
Name Project
number/
code name		 Adopted
year		 Number of
built		 Speed Bomb
Type 97 Flying Boat
九七式飛行艇		 H6K
"Mavis"		 1937 179 385km/h 12x60kg /
2x250kg /
2x500kg /
2x800kg
Type 2 Flying Boat
二式飛行艇		 H8K
"Emily"		 1942 167 385km/h 16x60kg /
8x250kg /
2x800kg
1 Like
24

For the SMGs they have the japanese army used the MP34 and something that is called the Type BE ? Which is just the mp28 or 18 with 40 round mag… i found out about this from another game the source might be unreliable.

The japanese also used a Type 98, basically an mg15

25

MP34(o) is German name of S1-100. Japanese name is Type Su automatic pistol (ス式自動拳銃).
Type Be automatic pistol (ベ式自動拳銃) is SIG-Bergmann M1920, an improved MP18 with 50 round magazine. Sometimes it is confused as MP28.
Both SMGs were used by Imperial Japanese Navy.

Surely, Type 98 swivel machine gun (九八式旋回機関銃) is based upon MG15, but it was aviation machine gun for bomber’s flexible mount.

1 Like
26

Wonderful, sire. This is a pretty nice list, and really good. However, this list also shows the reason why we can’t have a 1944 Pacific campaign, unless you want to add in imaginary weapons, such as captured Johnson M1941 from the Dutch, or the Chi-To that never left the Japanese homeland.

However, we can focus on the 1942 Malaya and East Indies Campaign. And of course, scrap the Semi-Auto, as neither side did use significant amount of semi-auto rifles during the campaign with the exception of the Dutch with their 1500 Johnson M1941 rifles.

I could list em up like this:
Arisaka Type 30 - Enfield M1917
Arisaka Type 38 - Lee-Enfield SMLE (Indian Pattern)
Arisaka Type 99 - Lee-Enfield Mk IV
Arisaka Type 99 with Type 100 Grenade Discharger - SMLE with grenade launcher
Type Hei experimental rifle with 10 rounds magazine - Farquar Hill with 10 rounds magazine

If you want to, you could add in captured French rifles from Indochina for either sides. An extra Lebel or Berthier wouldn’t hurt. We may also put in Burmese Mausers if you desire so.

As for Submachine Guns, the Japanese are not in a good position at all. However, I could add in some interesting stuff. This also includes taking Thai SMGs

Type 100 SMG - Sten Mk I
Solothurn SMG (MP-34) - MAS-38
Thai MP-35 - Thompson M1
Experimental Model 2 SMG (30 rounds) - M1928 Thompson (30 rounds)
Experimental Model 2 SMG (50 rounds) - M1928 Thompson (Drum Mag)

The LMG is easier than the SMG because the Japanese already had access to some nice SMGs
Type 96 LMG - Vickers-Berthier (this LMG was adopted by the British Raj, but not the British themselves)
Type 99 LMG - Bren Mk I

Heavy weapons are possible to think about. The Japanese do have access to some nice flamethrowers. But, let’s go anyways.
Type 89 Grenade Discharger - Two Inch Mortar
Type 93 Flamethrower (yes, it was used) - Harvey Flamethrower
Type 97 20mm Anti Tank Rifle - BOYS AT rifle (this is done to balance the fact that the allies simply have better tanks)
We shall not put in any rocket launchers here. Nope, just nope

Now, we can come to the tanks. 5 tanks, 2 for Tanker I, 3 for Tanker II.
Ha-Go - A13
Type 98 Ke-Ni - Tetrach

Type 97 Chi-Ha (with HEAT Rounds) - Daimler Mk II
Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai - Crusader Mk II

If we are desperate, we can add in the Thai Vickers 6 ton.

As for aircrafts, we have the most legendary stuff. The story of legends.
Mitsubishi A5M/Ki-27 - Hawker Hurricane Mk I
Ki-43 Hayabusha - Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Mitsubishi A6M2 mod.11 (army Zero) - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIb

Aichi D3A/B5N - V-156 B1

Ki-45 Toryu - Beaufighter Mk V/de Haviland Mosquito

Ayy, Grandee, this is harder than it looks. Just add stuff.

1 Like
27

It sounds nice idea!
However, in my opinion there are some problems.

30th Year Type rifle was already retired so it should be battlepass or premium weapon. For such purpose, Type 44 carbine would be suitable.

I think its not a good idea because Type 97 autocannon is too heavy… Its weight is 60kg! Its just prototype but experimental 13mm is still better than it.

Its not a problem, but I want to see SIG-Bergmann M1920 (Type Be machine pistol) of the Japanese navy.

Type 98 Ke-Ni was never sent to overseas. Also, mass-production was started since June 1942 so it was not exist during the Malayan Campaign.

Mass-production of Type 3 HEAT shell was started since 1944.

Some opinions for aircraft:

Single-engine attacker
I think army’s attackers like Type 98 light bomber (Ki-32) are better than naval bombers . Normally, army’s combat was supported by army’s aircrafts.
Ki-32 was a bit old but it was used at the battle of Singapore etc.

Twin-engine attacker
In case of Malaya, Type 99 twin light bomber (Ki-48) vs Blenheim Mk.IV will be good. In battle of Malaya, British forces used Blenheim, and one of them shoot down very famous ace-pilot Tateo Kato.
In other hand, as far as I remember, there’s no Beaufighter or Mosquito in there.

Fighter
In that time there aren’t Spitfire in Malaya… British forces had only Buffalo and Hurricane.
Also, A6M2 mod.11 is very-early production model. Produced only 64 and used in early 2nd Chino-Japanese war for strategic bombing by navy. When start the Pacific war they’re already replaced by mod.21.

How about something like this:
Type 97 Fighter (Ki-27) - Buffalo Mk I
Type 1 Fighter Model 1 (Ki-43-I) - Hurricane Mk I
Type 1 Fighter Model 2 (Ki-43-II) - Hurricane Mk II

Ki-43-I had two 7.7mm and Ki-43-II had two 12.7mm.

28

Japanese Grenades

Fragmentation grenade

九一式手榴弾 / Type 91 hand grenade

Japanese multipurpose hand grenade for hand, rifle grenade launcher and infantry motor.
It was already outdated during WW2 but some second-line troops still used it.

Specification

  • Mass: 530 g
  • Explosive: TNT, 65 g
  • Fuse: 7-8 sec (original) / 4 sec (modified)
Photo

image

九七式手榴弾 / Type 97 hand grenade

This is a Japanese hand grenade only for hand-throwing. It was a modified version of Type 91 hand grenade.

Specification

  • Mass: 530 g
  • Explosive: TNT, 65 g
  • Fuse: 4 sec
Image

image
image800×1122 90.6 KB

九八式柄付手榴弾 / Type 98 hand grenade with handle

This is a copy of Chinese-copy of M24 hand grenade.
It was deployed to Chinese front mainly.

Specification

  • Mass: 600 g
  • Explosive: Picric acid, 80 g
  • Fuse: 4 sec
Photo

image
image1230×513 164 KB

九九式手榴弾(甲) / Type 99 hand grenade (Ko)

This is a Japanese next-gen hand grenade. It was lightened to increase range.
It can be launched from Type 100 rifle grenade launcher.

Specification

  • Mass: 300 g
  • Explosive: Picric acid, 57 g
  • Fuse: 4 sec
Image

image

九九式手榴弾(乙) / Type 99 hand grenade (Otsu)

This is a Japanese next-gen hand grenade. It was lightened to increase range.
This variant had simplified fuse but it could not be launched from rifle grenade launcher.

Specification

  • Mass: 275 g
  • Explosive: Picric acid, 55 g
  • Fuse: 4 sec

Anti-tank grenade

三式対戦車手榴弾 / Type 3 anti-tank hand grenade

It is a hand grenade with shaped charge to destroy enemy tanks.
It can penetrate 50 mm armor.

Specification (Ko)

  • Mass: 1270 g
  • Explosive: RDX/TNT 853 g
  • Fuse: impact

Specification (Otsu)

  • Mass: 853 g
  • Explosive: PETN/TNT 690 g
  • Fuse: impact

Specification (Hei)

  • Mass: 830 g
  • Explosive: Picric acid, 690 g
  • Fuse: impact
Image

image

Smoke grenade

手投煙瓶 / Hand throwing smoke bottle

This is a throwable vial containing fume liquid.
This bottle is often confused with anti-tank gas bottle, but size is smaller than it.

Specification

  • Mass: 375 g
  • Duration: 60 sec
Technical Report by US intelligence

Japanese Smoke Weapons, WWII Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 35, October 7, 1943 (Lone Sentry)
Japanese partiality toward the tactical use of smoke, and various materiels employed by the Japanese army’s* “smoke” units have been discussed in Tactical and Technical Trends No. 21, p. 11; No. 27, p. 12. Recent reports on this materiel provides additional information in the form of descriptions of the Japanese frangible smoke grenade and the Japanese Type “99” self-projecting smoke candle.

The Japanese frangible smoke grenade is an iron-capped, spherical glass flask with a short neck and flat bottom. Measurements of the flask are:

Overall height 85 mm
Diameter (o.d.) 65 mm
Circumference 237 mm
Weight (empty) 161.2 grams
Thickness of wall 2 mm
Volume (to base of neck) 150 ml
Opening 16 mm

The closure consists of a red rubber stopper held under a red rubber washer within an inner iron crown cap, this being enclosed by a heavier iron outer crown cap.

Filling: The liquid filling of the grenade has the following properties:

Height of filling 31 mm
Volume 69.6 ml
Weight 118.0 grams
Specific gravity (calculated) 1.69
Composition:
Titanium tetrachloride 51.5%
Silicon tetrachloride 46.7%
Titanium and silicon oxides, by difference 1.8%

Functional Characteristics

The grenade is so shaped as to be easily thrown by hand. Titanium and silicon tetrachlorides are readily hydrolyzed by the moisture if the air, with the formation of the respective hydroxides and hydrochloric acid. The smoke produced is formed from the fumes of hydrochloric acid and the particles of hydrated titanium and silicon oxides.

Tactical Use

The smoke grenade is intended for screening operations. Though both titanium and silicon tetrachlorides are irritating to the skin as liquids, in ordinary field concentrations the smoke is hardly irritating enough to the respiratory system to cause coughing. Because of its size, the grenade used singly is ineffective for a continuous screen, but is intended for use at short-range such as screening the gun port of a pill-box or tank.

Comparison with Comparable U.S. Equipment

Titanium tetrachloride-silicon tetrachloride mixtures are not used by the U.S. Titanium tetrachloride alone, designated FM, is classed as limited standard for filling CWS smoke munitions but is not used as filling for frangible grenades.

Photo

image
image
Left: Chi-Bi (anti-tank gas grenade)
Upper right: Grenade Model 4 (estimate)
Lower right: Hand-slowing smoke bottle
https://twitter.com/tamaya8901/status/787286278916091905?lang=ja

Molotov cocktail

手投火焔瓶 / Hand-slowing flame bottle

Japanese standard Molotov cocktail.

Specification

  • Mass: 800 g
  • Duration: 60 sec
Image

image
日本陸軍 試製手投火焔瓶 / たまや＠C97 ４日目て 17a さんのイラスト - ニコニコ静画 (イラスト)

29

Just out of curiosity, do you have (or know where can I find) any photos of those experimental guns? Especially about submachine guns - no matter if I paste the Japanese characters into google or search in English, it gives me the same images of Nambu Type 1 and Type 2 every time, and I’d like to know something about these weapons (or at least know how they looked).

30

Easy way to access photos is a book.

Unfortunately I don’t know English books, but I referenced this book:
佐山二郎 (2000) 「小銃・拳銃・機関銃入門 日本の小火器徹底研究」光人社NF文庫
ISBN4-7698-2284-7
Between p.373-378, there’re photos of SMGs and semi-auto rifles.

1 Like
31

I don’t mean to necropost, but in my recent research, I have come across references to a self-loading rifle designed by Kojiro Nambu which he designed in conjunction with the Type 96 LMG and competed with the Type Hei and Type Otsu in the early parts of that competition (from what I read, Nambu dropped out before the Type Ko entered the competition). Would you happen to know anything about that? Thanks.

32

Sorry, I don’t know anything. Book I mentioned before says only that Nanbu Gun Factory declined to participate in the trial due to delay of project caused by an accidental explosion of a prototype gun.

1 Like
33

Ah ok, thanks anyways, I’ll keep looking into it then.