Type 98 So-Da

The Type 98 So-Da (九八式装甲運搬車 ソダ, Kyūhachi-shiki Sōkounpansha So-Da) was an armored personnel and ammunition carrier used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.

Type 98 So-Da
Type 98 So-Da
Type	Armored personnel carrier[1]
Place of origin	Empire of Japan
Production history
Designed	1937
Produced	introduced in 1941[2]
Specifications (Type 98 So-Da[1])
Mass	5 tons[1]
Length	3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)[2]
Width	1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Height	1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)[2]
Crew	2+4–6[1]
Armor	6–12 mm[1]
Main armament	none
Engine	diesel 65 PS (48 kW) at 2300 rpm[1]
Payload capacity	1 ton[2]
Suspension	bellcrank
Operational range	200 km[1]
Maximum speed	45 km/h (28 mph)[1]

History and development

Type 98 So-Da captured by 6th Rajputana Rifles in Burma, February 1945

Type 98 So-Da was designed in 1937, with a chassis based on the Type 97 Te-Ke tankette. However, its engine compartment was moved to the front of the chassis.^[1] The fully tracked vehicle was first produced in 1941. The Type 98 So-Da was used as a personnel and ammunition carrier in forward-line areas. In addition, it was also used as an "artillery tractor" to tow a gun trailer.^[1]

Its hull had an open top and the "flatbed" in back had a double door at the rear. The flatbed could be covered with a tarp over the three rail supports. The towing coupling was secured to the frame of the hull on a "semi-elliptical spring". This protected the frame while hauling heavy equipment^[1] The total number of Type 98 So-Da vehicles produced is unknown.^[2]