Type 5 Na-To

Infobox Weapon
name=Type 5 Na-To


caption=Type 5 Na-To tank destroyer
origin= flagcountry|Empire of Japan
type=
is_vehicle=yes
length=5.80 meters
width=2.4 meters
height=2.75 meters
weight=15 tons
suspension=
speed=40 km/hr
vehicle_range=
primary_armament=Type 5 75mm AA gun
secondary_armament=Type 97 7.7mm machine gun
armour=12 mm max
engine= diesel 165 PS/2000 rpm
engine_power=150 HP
pw_ratio=
crew=7The nihongo|Type 5 Na-To|五式砲戦車|Go-shiki hōsensha was the penultimate tank destroyer developed by the Imperial Japanese Army in the closing stages of World War II.

History and development

Towards the end of the Pacific War, Japanese field commanders realized that nothing in the inventory of the Japanese army would be able to withstand the increasingly advanced tanks and armored vehicles fielded by the Allies, and that a more powerful version of the Type 3 Ho-Ni III was necessary. Development was rushed through on a new design, which was completed in 1945. The Japanese army immediately issued an order for 200 units to be completed in 1945. However, by that time production was impossible due to material shortages, and by the bombing of Japan in World War II, and testing was not yet completed by the end of the war. [Zaloga, Japanese Tanks ]

Design

The Type 5 Na-To made use of the chassis of the Type 4 Chi-So medium tracked carrier, combined with a Type 4 75 mm AA Gun as its main anti-tank armament. Secondary armament was the same gun as was used on the Type 4 Chi-To tank – a Type 4 75 mm tank gun, was based on the Type 88 75 mm AA Gun

Combat record

Although the Type 5 Na-To tank destroyer was intended to become part of the defenses of the Japanese home islands against the projected Allied Invasion, only two units were completed by the surrender of Japan. Neither was used in combat.

References

*cite book
last = Zaloga
first = Steven J.
year = 2007
title = Japanese Tanks 1939-45
publisher = Osprey
location =
id = ISBN 1-84603-091-8

External links

* [http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/na-to.html Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army HP]

Notes