- Yes
- No
Prototype Self-Propelled Gun Type 56 105 mm (試製56式105mm自走砲)
Type 56 105 mm is a Japanese prototype self-propelled gun based on the American M37. The first prototype was created in 1958, and the second prototype in 1959.
History
When the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) were established in 1954, which included the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), they lacked almost every type of armament. The JGSDF inherited a small amount of weaponry (M24 tanks, M4 tanks, M8 armored cars) from the National Police Reserve, but it was nothing compared to Japan’s defense needs. The JGSDF command knew that in the event of an invasion by the USSR or China, they would not be able to fight on equal terms, so they decided to focus on having the most mobile self-defense forces possible. This is why the main tank in the early JGSDF was the M24 tank. The Japanese realized that the M2A1 105mm and M1 155mm towed artillery supplied by the Americans was not mobile enough to respond to an enemy invasion. Therefore, in 1956, the JGSDF decided that highly mobile self-propelled artillery was needed (preferably with mobility similar to the M24). At that time, the Japanese were considering purchasing American M37 self-propelled howitzers, but they decided to develop their own self-propelled howitzer (although one M37 was purchased for testing, which arrived in Japan in January 1959). Because work began in 1956, the new vehicle was designated Type 56, and its prototype carried the designation SY. The design of the Type 56 self-propelled howitzer was developed by the Technical Research Institute of the Defense Agency, which heavily based it on the American M37. However, the Japanese decided to implement a few improvements compared to the M37, opting for an enclosed fighting compartment for greater crew safety. To improve mobility (compared to the M37), it was decided that the Type 56 would be powered by a Mitsubishi 8HA 4-stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine producing 230 hp instead of two Cadillac Series 44T24 gasoline engines, 4-stroke V-8, liquid-cooled, with a total output of 296 hp (used in the M24 and M37). To compensate for the lower engine power, it was decided to use the new Japanese “115TC-Ms200” gearbox with a torque converter. The Technical Research Institute of the Defense Agency completed the Type 56 project in 1957 and started work on the prototype. Work on the main armament of the Type 56 was assigned to Japan Steel Works in Hiroshima, while the hull, engine, and superstructure were handled by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The first Type 56 prototype was completed in January 1958 and was immediately sent for initial technical tests. Then, from June to September 1958, the Type 56 was tested at the Misaka Pass (as a curiosity, during one of the Type 56 road tests, a bus tried to overtake it and ended up in a ditch). After these tests, overheating of the Mitsubishi 8HA engine and insufficient power were observed, which led to the Type 56 undergoing an overhaul that lasted until the end of 1958. In the period of January-February 1959, the Type 56 was sent to the Shimamatsu training ground in Hokkaido for tests in winter conditions, and then it was directed to practical tests at the Fuji Ground Self-Defense Force School in Shizuoka Prefecture from May to August 1959. After these tests, the Type 56 had already traveled more than 6,000 km, and it was determined that it was not as mobile as planned. Therefore, it was decided to build a second Type 56 prototype equipped with a new automatic hydromatic gearbox and the application of new auxiliary transmissions. However, despite this change, the second Type 56 prototype did not show better performance; additionally, there was a problem with acquiring additional M2A1 howitzers, and the Type 56 had a shorter firing range than unmodified M2A1 howitzers (7,500 m for the Type 56 compared to over 11,000 m for the M2A1). For these reasons, the JGSDF decided to discontinue the new self-propelled howitzer project after producing two Type 56 units. The further fate of the prototype Type 56 is unknown. The JGSDF only received its first M44 155 mm and M52 105 mm self-propelled howitzers in 1965-66, and the first Japanese self-propelled howitzers were not accepted into service until 1974 (Type 74 105 mm) and 1975 (Type 75 155 mm).
Construction description
The prototype Type 56 105mm self-propelled howitzer is based on the unmodified chassis of the M24 Chaffee tank. The main modification involved removing the tank turret and installing a large armored enclosed superstructure in its place. The Type 56 was equipped with a new Mitsubishi 8HA 4-stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine with 220 hp, instead of the two Cadillac Series 44T24 gasoline engines, 4-stroke V-8, liquid-cooled, with 296 hp used in the M24. The Type 56 featured a new transmission designated ‘115TC-Ms200’ with a torque converter. The main armament of the Type 56 is a modified 105mm M2A1 howitzer mounted at the front of the superstructure. Its movement range is +35° upwards and ±20° to the left and right; the downward movement range is not known. The amount of ammunition is not known, but it is likely 126 rounds as in the M37. Secondary armament includes a heavy M2 12.7mm machine gun mounted on the turret, similar to the M37. The Type 56 hull is armored like the M24 Chaffee tank, and the superstructure is probably armored like that of the M37 self-propelled howitzer. The crew of the Type 56 consists of 7-8 people.
Torque converter diagram
Specifications
- Crew: 7-8
- Length: 5,59 m
- Width: 2,84 m
- Weight: 2,34 m
- Height: 20 t
- Operational range: ?
- Engine: Mitsubishi 8HA21WT, air-cooled V8 turbocharged diesel engine with 220 hp
- Power-to-weight ratio: 11.5 hp/ton
- Top speed: 45 km/h
Armor
- Hull: 25mm front, 25mm 2/3 sides, 19 mm 1/3 sides, 19 mm rear
- Superstructure: 12,7 mm front (?), 12,7 mm sides (?), 9,53 mm rear (?) , 12,7mm top (?)
- Mantlet: ?
Armament
- Main armament: 1 x M2A1 105 mm
- Range of motion: +35° upward and ±20° left and right
- Effective range: 7500 m
- Ammunition supply: probably 126 rounds
- Ammunition Types:
- M1 HE
- M60 White Phosphorus
- M67 HEAT
- M84 Smoke
- Additional weapon: M2 12.7mm heavy machine gun
Summary
The prototype self-propelled howitzer Type 56 105mm is an interesting vehicle for Japan in War Thunder. This vehicle has the same gun as the Sherman M4A3 (105), but on a smaller and somewhat more mobile platform. Compared to the M37 HMC, the Type 56 will have better survivability thanks to its enclosed fighting compartment. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
