Type 95 So-Ki

The Type 95 So-Ki was an armored railroad car of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was used for patrolling and guarding railway lines in both Manchuria and Burma. The chassis was based on the Type 95 Ha-Go Light Tank. The Type 95 So-Ki had light armor and no fixed weapons armament. Hand-held weapons by the crew would be the only armament available. It had a simple suspension system with bogie wheels suspended on bell cranks on each side of the chassis. The tracks were driven through the front sprockets. There were three small return wheels.[1][2]

Type 95 So-Ki Armored Railroad car
TypeArmored car[1]
Place of originEmpire of Japan
Production history
No. built121 to 135[1][2]
Specifications
Mass8.7 tons
Length4.9m
Width2.56m
Height2.54m (on rail line); 2.43 (on road)
Crew6
Enginegasoline (petrol)
84 hp
Suspensionwheeled or Bell crank
Maximum speed (rail line) 72 km/h; (ground) 30 km/h

The Type 95 So-Ki was unique as it had both a track and wheel drive system. The vehicle could be changed between railway line wheels mode and track mode for ground use within a few minutes time as it had retractable wheels. In addition, the width of the wheels could be adjusted to the various widths of the rail gauges.[1][2]

Type 95 So-Ki with mounted crew

The Type 95 So-Ki was produced between 1935 and 1943, with 121 to 135 units made.[1][2]

Notes
  1. Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army: Type 95 Armored Railroad Car "So-Ki"
  2. Zaloga 2008, p. 24.

References
  • Taki's Imperial Japanese Army Page - Akira Takizawa
  • Zaloga, Steven J. (2008). Armored Trains. Osprey. ISBN 978-1-8460-3242-4.
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