Hitachi Type 73

Infobox Weapon
name=Type 73


caption=
origin=flagcountry|Japan
type=Artillery tractor
service=
used_by=Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
wars=
designer=
design_date= 1974
manufacturer=Hitachi
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants=
is_vehicle=yes
length= 6.13 m
width= 2.95 m
height= 2.30 m
weight= 19.8 t
suspension=
speed= 45 km/h
vehicle_range= 300 km
primary_armament= 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun
secondary_armament=
armour= none
engine= Mitsubishi ZF6 six-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine
engine_power= 400 hp (298 kW)
crew= 1 + 11
pw_ratio= The Type 73 is an artillery tractor of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

History

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

The cab and gun crew compartments of the Type 73 are fully enclosed steel designs, 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

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.

References

*cite book |last=Trewhitt |first=Philip |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Armoured Fighting Vehicles |year=1999 |publisher=Dempsey-Parr |location=p 312 |isbn=1-84084-328-4