Overview[]

A Model Kō with the original Puteaux SA 1918 37mm gun.
The Model Kō Tank (甲型戦車) was a Japanese licensed French tank. In 1919, Japan purchased 22 Renault FT-17 light tanks, which arrived in 1920. The vehicles were given to the Army Infantry School, which founded a tank school unit for them, as well as the 1st IJA tank Company. This company was a trial unit aimed to learn everything about the new vehicles. Eventually, the Army Cavalry School also received some Model Kō. The cavalry was impressed with the vehicle and requested more. However, in 1922, it was decided by the IJA that only the infantry units were to be allowed operation of tanks. All Model Kō were transferred to the infantry.
Some Kō-Gata were sent to Manchuria where they successfully participated in several clashes with Chinese from 1929 - 1931. Many Model Kō (cannon model) were field modified, having the main armament replaced with a 37mm Sogekihō. Some MG models had the standard Hotchkiss M1914 swapped out with a Type3 HMG. The tank was already absolute upon its first use and was swiftly replaced with new designs. All of the remaining vehicles were given to the IJA Tank School where they were used as driver training vehicles until they were completely phased out in 1932.
1919 - 1945 |
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Tracked Vehicles | ||
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Light Tanks | Tankettes | Type Kā • TB • TK • Type 92 • Type 94 • Te-Ke |
Standard Light Tanks | Ishikawajima Type 98 • Kawasaki Type 92 • Mitsubishi Type 99 • Model Kō Tank • Model Otsu Tank • Ha-Gō • Ke-Nu • Ke-Ni (Kai) • Ke-To • Ke-Ri • Ke-Ru • Ke-Ho | |
Railroad Tanks | Type95 So-Ki | |
Medium Tanks | Standard Medium Tanks | No. 1 • (Revised) • I-Gō (Kō • Otsu) • Chi-Ni • Chi-Ha (Kai) • Chi-Ho • Chi-He • Chi-Nu (Kai) • Chi-To Prototype I • Chi-To Prototype II • Experimental Type5 Medium Tank 'Chi-Ri' • Chi-Se |
Medium Command Tanks | Type 97 Shi-Ki | |
Heavy Tanks | Standard Heavy Tanks | Aichi-96 • Ishi-108 • Ju-Ni • Mitsu-97 • Mitsu-104 • Type 91 Heavy Tank • Type 95 Ro-Gō • Type 96 Ju-I • Type 97 Ju-Ro • Type 97 Ju-Ha |
Super Heavy Tanks | O-I • Mi-To | |
Amphibious Tanks | Standard Amphibious Tanks | Kawasaki Type 94 • SR Amphib • SR-I • SR-II • SR-III |
Special Motor Launches | Type2 Ka-Mi • Type3 Ka-Chi • Type4 Ka-Tsu • Type5 To-Ku | |
Self-Propelled Guns | Tank Destroyers | Type1 Ho-Ni I • Type1 Ho-Ni II • Type3 Ho-Ni III • Experimental Type5 Gun Tank 'Ho-Ri' • Experimental Type5 47mm Self-Propelled Gun 'Ho-Ru' • Type5 Na-To • Type5 Na-To II • 'Ji-Ro' |
Self-Propelled Gun / Assault Gun | So-To • 12cm Short Gun • 12cm Long Gun • Ho-I • Ka-To • Ho-Ro • Ha-To • Ho-Chi | |
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | Ki-To • Ta-Se • So-Ki • Ta-Ha | |
Miscellaneous | Amphibious Transport | FB Swamp Vehicle |
Remote-Controlled Explosives | Type98 Miniature Engineer Otsu | |
Transport & Towing | Chi-Ke Tractor • Holt 30 • Komatsu 3 ton Tractor • Type92 I-Ke • Type92 Ni-Ku • Type94 Yo-Ke • Type95 Ho-Fu • Type98 Six Ton Prime Mover • T-G Crawler Truck • Type98 Ro-Ke • Type98 Shi-Ke • Type98 So-Da • Type 1 Ho-Ki | |
Misc | Brasso-Ki • So-Ra • Type94 Disinfecting Vehicle • Type94 Gas Scattering Vehicle • Type 95 Ri-Ki • Type 97 Ho-K • Type97 Cable Layer • Type97 Pole Planter • Type 97 Chi-Yiu • Type 96 Se-Ri • Type 1 AOV • S-K Trench Excavator • Sōkō Sagyō Ki • Chō Gō Ki TG • Type100 Te-Re |
Half-Track Vehicles | ||
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Combat | Amphibious Offensive | Chenilette St-Chamond M1921 • Inoma-Kaminishi • Sumida AMP |
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | Type 98 Ho-Ki SPAAG | |
Utility | Transport & Towing | Type95 Kurogane • Type98 Ho-Ki Prime Mover • Type1 Ho-Ha |
Amphibious Transport & Towing | Ishikawan Jime |
Wheeled Vehicles | ||
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Combat | Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | Type98 Ta-Se (truck) |
Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun | Nissan 80 | |
Armoured / Scout / Patrol Cars | Austin Model 1918 • British Crossley Mk I • Type92 Osaka • Type87 Armoured Car • Type3 Sumida • Type92 Chiyoda • Type92 Chokei Sensha • Type92 Kokusan | |
Utility | Transport & Towing | Nissan 180 • Nissan Model 97 • Toyota KB • Toyota KC • Type94 Truck • Type97 Truck • Type1 Truck • Type2 Truck |
Staff Cars | Nissan 70 • Toyota Syoki • Type92 Chiyoda • Model93 Staff Car • Model95 Kurogane • Nissan Model97 Staff Car • Type98 Staff Car | |
Amphibious Transport & Towing | Su-Ki Amphibious Truck | |
Motocycles | Model 97 Kurogane • Sanrinsha |