The Type 73 is an artillery tractor of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Type 73
TypeArtillery tractor
Place of originJapan
Service history
Used byJapan Ground Self-Defense Force
Production history
Designed1974
ManufacturerHitachi
Specifications
Mass19.8 t
Length6.13 m
Width2.95 m
Height2.30 m
Crew1 + 11

Armornone
Main
armament
12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun
EngineMitsubishi ZF6 six-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine
400 hp (298 kW)
Operational
range
300 km
Maximum speed 45 km/h

History

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The first production of the Type 73 was in 1974, built by Hitachi as a domestic replacement for the American M4 and M8 high-speed tractors. It was never produced in large numbers, as self-propelled artillery became the new focus.

Construction

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The cab and gun crew compartments of the Type 73 are fully enclosed steel, with ammunition carried in a separate compartment at the rear. A 400 hp Mitsubishi diesel engine powers full tracks, and armament is a single 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

Usage

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The Type 73 was intended to tow weapons such as the 155 mm Long Tom gun and the M115 203 mm howitzer. It can also be fitted with a dozer blade, or alternatively, the Type 92 mine roller.

Further reading

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  • Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armoured Fighting Vehicles. p 312: Dempsey-Parr. ISBN 1-84084-328-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)