| Tank Destroyer Ko Type 2 Ho-I with experimental 57mm gun | |
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| General Historical Information | |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Category | Tank Destroyer |
| Main armament | 57mm L/48.5 Experimental "Ko" |
| General Ingame Information | |
| Used by | Japan |
| Seat 2 | Artillery spotter |
| Seat 3 | Type 98 MG |
| Seat 4 | Passenger |
| Seat 5 | Passenger |
| Historical Picture | |
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The Type 2 Ho-I tank with the experimental 57mm gun is known as the Tank Destroyer Ko. It is more effective than most Japanese tanks at destroying tanks, but not effective against infantry due to small explosive radius and lack of coaxial machinegun.
While the short barrel 75 mm gun of the Type 2 Ho-I had proven effective against the M4 Sherman when loaded with HEAT rounds this 57mm gun was still planned to be mounted to make a dedicated tank destroyer. Howewer, production of the Type 2 Ho-I was very low and tank development moved on to new projects like the Type 4 Chi-To for which this 57mm variant became the first prototype of that new project.
Unlike other Japanese Tank Destroyers this has a enclosed turret with full traverse. Others either have no turret at all and thus have to move the entire vehicle to aim such as the Type 5 Ho-Ru or just a high caliber gun mounted which while it can turn is without protection for the operator.
Gun deppression at maximum is -15 degrees as pictured.
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