FM56 IJA TYPE 89 MEDIUM TANK KO

The Type 89 was a Japanese medium tank from the Second World War. The first prototypes were built in 1927, and serial production started in 1929. In total, about 400 copies of this tank of all versions were built. The Type 89 was powered by an engine Mitsubishi A6120VD with 120 HP. It was armed with a single 57mm Type 90 tank gun and two 6.5mm Type 91 machine guns. Development of the first Japanese medium tank began in 1927, but the original versions of the Type 89 were rendered unfit for combat service. However, the structure was redesigned, using many elements from the British Vickers Type C tank. This rebuilt version was put into mass production under the designation Type 89 Kou. One very important development version was created in its course: the tank designated as Type 89 Otsu. Compared to the original version, it had reinforced armor, a new turret shape and the main armament mount. Type 89 tanks were not very mobile and had very weak armor, not exceeding 15-17 mm in thickness. Tanks of this type fought in Manchuria (1931), in China (1937-1945), in Chałchyn-Gol with the Red Army (1939) and in the Pacific region in 1941-1944.