| Type 61 | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Museum_of_JGSDF_Camp_Zentsuji_Kagawa_Pref11n.jpg) A Type 61 tank on display at the GSDF Camp Zentsuji. | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1961–2000 |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| Designed | 1955–1960 |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| Produced | 1961–1975 |
| No. built | 560 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 35 tonnes |
| Length | 8.19 / 6.03 m |
| Width | 2.95 m |
| Height | 2.49 m |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor | 55 mm (hull) – 114 mm (turret) |
Main armament | 90 mm L/52 rifled cannon, Muzzle velocity: 910m/s (M318AP-T) |
Secondary armament | 7.62 mm Browning M1919A4 machine gun 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun |
| Engine | Mitsubishi 12HM21WT 4 stroke V type 12 cylinder vertical air cooled diesel 570 hp (430 kW) / 2100 rpm, 29600 cc |
| Power/weight | 17.14 hp/tonne (12.28 kW/tonne) |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 200 km |
| Maximum speed | 45 km/h (paved roads) |
The Type 61 tank (61式戦車, Roku-ichi Shiki sensha) is a main battle tank developed and used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Development started in 1955 and the vehicle was first deployed in April 1961. The type number follows the year of deployment. A total of 560 Type 61s were manufactured between 1961 and 1975, when production ceased. It was succeeded by the Type 74.[1][2][3]
- ^ Foss 1977, pp. 53–56.
- ^ Hayashi 2005, pp. 99–135.
- ^ Furuze & Ichinohe 2009, pp. 22–45.