Type 97 Te Ke Tankette

Unit Card:

Type_97________________Te-Ke_Tankette_Set_II_AAMeditor_120129064946.jpg

Set - Rarity - Number

Set II - Uncommon - 43/45

Historical Background:

The origins of the Type 97 lay in a prototype diesel-engine version of the Type 94 Te-Ke developed by Hino Motors in 1936. Although the prototype had a more powerful engine and larger gun, initial trials were not successful and the Japanese Army demanded numerous changes before acceptance. Hino responded with a modified prototype in November 1937, in which the engine was moved towards the rear of the chassis. This design was accepted and full production began in 1938. A total of 616 units were produced from 1938 to 1944 (1 unit in 1937, 56 units in 1938, 217 units in 1939, 284 units in 1940, 58 units between 1941 and 1944). Typically, Type 97s were distributed in pairs to support infantry divisions, where they were very often used as armored tractors and supply vehicles.

The Type 97 was successfully fielded in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1938–1945, as the Chinese National Revolutionary Army had only three tank battalions, which themselves consisted of some Italian CV33 tankettes. Their light weight enabled them to be transported easily across the sea or rivers. The Type 97 tankettes first real test of combat came during the Battle of Nomonhan during the months of May through August in 1939 against the Red Army of the Soviet Union. There, although not designed for such combat, the 97 tankette went up against Russian anti-tank guns and 45mm high velocity guns of the Soviet BT-5 and BT-7 light tanks.

With the start of World War II, the Type 97 contributed significantly to the Japanese victories at the Battle of Malaya and the Battle of the Philippines, as its light weight enabled the tank to traverse unsupported bridges and ferry crossing which would be unable to take heavier tanks, and its small size allowed it to travel along the long winding and narrow roads at that time.

Reviews:

6thLyranGuard
Quite possibly the weakest tank in the game. This thing has basically no anti-infantry power, no armor, and pathetic anti-vehicle abilities. The speed might allow it to reach an objective area quickly (though it isn't actually any faster than most American units), but it's probably going to die the moment that it gets targeted by almost anything: even machine gun teams are enough to threaten it.

Akela152
Missed opportunity. I agree with the above review. We can say however then by the time this unit was in the game, there was no rules to use them as gun transports or recon. This should have been corrected when they redesigned the cards in AAM but it was not. A few custom cards were made by users to correct the issue. You can access them here. However if you want to stick to original cards, for the same price, take the Type 89a Chi-Ro

Plastic Figure Notes:

tn_Te_Ke_jpg.jpg
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