Hitachi Type 73
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| Type 73 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Artillery tractor |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1974 |
| Manufacturer | Hitachi |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 19.8 t |
| Length | 6.13 m |
| Width | 2.95 m |
| Height | 2.30 m |
| Crew | 1 + 11 |
| Armor | none |
Main armament | 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun |
| Engine | Mitsubishi ZF6 six-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine 400 hp (298 kW) |
Operational range | 300 km |
| Maximum speed | 45 km/h |
The Type 73 is an artillery tractor used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
History
[edit]The first production of the Type 73 was in 1974, built by Hitachi as a domestic replacement for the American M4 and M8 high-speed tractors. It was never produced in large numbers, as self-propelled artillery became the new focus.
Construction
[edit]The cab and gun crew compartments of the Type 73 are fully enclosed steel, with ammunition carried in a separate compartment at the rear. A 400 hp Mitsubishi diesel engine powers full tracks, and armament is a single 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
Usage
[edit]The Type 73 was intended to tow weapons such as the 155 mm Long Tom gun and the M115 203 mm howitzer. It can also be fitted with a dozer blade, or alternatively, the Type 92 mine roller.
Further reading
[edit]- Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armoured Fighting Vehicles. p 312: Dempsey-Parr. ISBN 1-84084-328-4.
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