Just another fact gathering thread for those interested in this odd machine.
The Ha-To was designed as an SPG sometime in late 1943, consisting of the Type 3, 300 mm and a chassis of a Chi-So prime mover. Images of the Chi-So can be seen here: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 5&t=170543
The first prototype was made a year later and sent to the Imperial Japanese Army Academy for testing. 3 more vehicles were made. More prototypes or were these 3 actual production?
Data for the Ha-To;
Introduced : 1944
Weight : 15 ton
Dimensions: 6.8(l) x 2.4(w) x 2.75(h) m
Armor : 8 mm [2] 12-25 mm [1]
Speed (max) : 40 km/h [1 & 2] 28km/h [3]
Engine : Diesel Engine 165 PS/2000 rpm [2] water-cooled 6cyl Mitsubishi gasoline
115 HP [1] Mitsubishi Air-Cooled V12 Diesel, 170 hp [3]
Range: 120km [3]
Suspension : bell crank
Armaments : Type 3 300 mm Heavy Mortar, (range of 3,000 m, 170 kg (374 lb) projectile).
Type 97 7.7 mm
Crew : 7
Production : 4
fromThe gun itself weighed close to 1.5 tons, and to keep the center of gravity from shifting and tipping the vehicle over, it could not be elevated more than 50 degrees.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_4_Ha-To
[2] http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/Ha-To.htm
[3] http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/1-V ... 4-HaTo.htm
Of course more details of its history are greatly welcomed as well as corrections!
Photos are also good!
This color image was supposedly taken in 1945 and in it we can see the colours of the camouflage, unusual for a prototype. Behind the Ha-To we can see a portion of a German Elefant so I believe this was picture was taken at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, where the Elefant still stands but the Ha-To must have been scrapped.