Smol Samurai

Historical Overview:

In 1933, in Manchuria, Japan’s first mechanised corps was formed as an independent mixed brigade. Based on forces emerging in Europe, it was intended to operate independently or alongside larger forces. However the new corps highlighted an issue with Japan’s current battle tank, the Type 89, namely its leisurely speed of 25km/h.

Work on a new, faster tank began in mid-1933, and a prototype was completed a year later, though it was slightly heavier than desired. A re-trial showed that it was capable of upto 45km/h and had good endurance. As the infantry branch were not quite satisfied with the tank, further modifications kept being made, resulting in its unique shapes, with one machine gun facing almost rearwards in the turret. Initially armed with a 37mm Type 94 (L/36) and two 6.5mm Type 91 MGs, this was later upgraded to a slightly better 37mm Type 97/98 and 7.7mm Type 97 MGs, which is the version I intend to present here.

Source(s):
TE - Type 95 Ha-Go