During development of the AA gun tank, the Imperial Japanese Army experimented with various configurations. This single gun prototype was designated the Type 98 Ta-Se self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Initial development began in November 1941.[1][2] The name was taken from taikū ('anti-air') sensha ('tank'). The conventional turret was removed from the hull and a new open-top cylindrical shaped turret was installed. It was equipped with a single converted Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon. During trials, it was determined that the chassis used for the Ta-Se was too small to be a stable "firing platform".[1][2] It did not enter production.[2]
Gallery
Front view of Type 98 Ta-Se
Side angle view of Type 98 Ta-Se
Twin gun version
After the Type 98 Ta-Se SPAAG was abandoned, a second prototype version, known as the Type 98 20 mm AAG tank was produced using the Type 98 chassis. The gun tank was equipped with a modified twin Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon mounted on a raised platform with a gun shield. It also did not enter mass production after testing.[1][2]
Prior single AA gun tank
Side view of SPAAG Ki-To
Prior to the Type 98 Ta-Se, an earlier prototype was produced that was known as the experimental Type 97 Ki-To self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The original Type 97 Te-Ke tankette turret was removed, and a single Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon was mounted on the modified chassis without a protective gun shield.[3] It did not enter production.
