Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #31 - revised

Vehicles - miscellaneous

Type 1 Motor Tricycle

Introduction Year: 1941

Weight: 0.54 ton

Dimensions: 2.73 x 1.22 x 1.22(h) m

Capacity: 2 men

Manufacturer: Nihon Nainenki

(source: Taki)

The IJAAF used tow tractors to move heavier-than-fighter aircraft around the airfield. The most common were the tractors built by "Kato" like the one seen in the photo towing a Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally".

Unfortunately I have not been able to confirm that the tractor towing another Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" is also a "Kato tractor". If you have any ideas leave a comment.

According to the original caption: "JAPANESE KATO TRACTOR--Found in the ruins of an Okinawan city, by a Motor Transport Unit, this Kato tractor, made in Tokyo, has been reconditioned and turned over to the military government."

The IJNAF used "Kato tractors" to pull its seaplanes, in this case an Aichi M6A1 "Seiran".

The Japanese Navy needed equipment to pull their heavy flying boats, especially Kawanishi H6K "Mavis" and Kawanishi H8K "Emily", out of the water and to handle them on land. For this purpose they used 4-wheel (50hp) or 6-wheel (80hp) tractors built by "KATO WORKS CO., LTD." (a.k.a."Nippon Torakuta Kabushiki Kaisha").

The company is still manufacturing heavy construction and agricultural equipment.

An excellent photo from the collection of "LIFE" magazine. Note the Kato tractor pulling a Kawanishi H6K "Mavis" and the bicycle on the left of the photo.

Another "Kato tractor" towing a "Mavis" flying boat. Note the two sets of three rear wheels as opposed to the single set seen in the Army photos.

A Kato tractor makes a brief appearance above during a rainy scene in the movie "Nankai no Hanataba" (Flower bouquet of the South Seas) of 1942.

Inspired by the movie, Kato Works released a number of ads in magazines of the time like the ones we feature here.

"KATO TRACTORS - Equipment for: Heavy Lifting, Public Works, Farming.

Wheel or track tractors."

"Our company recommends with utter confidence this solid-tire-type vehicle able to pull super heavy objects."

"HEAVY! FORCE! KATO Tractors"  

Occasionally, the IJAAF used tractors with caterpillars to tow even heavier aircraft like, in this case, a Tachikawa Ki-77 or A-26 to take off on the endurance record flight on July 2, 1944.

The tractor is a Komatsu 2-ton T25.  

Komatsu T25 tractor 

Komatsu T25 tractor

And, now, a surprise. In a corner of one of the hangars in Gifu Airfield where the third Kawasaki Ki-100-II prototype was found at the end of the war, the rear of a Type 98 "Shi-Ke" Artillery Tractor can be seen.

Type 98 4t Prime Mover "Shi-Ke"

Introduction Year: 1938

Weight: 4.3 tons

Dimensions: 3.7 x 1.9 x 2.17(h) m

Speed (max): 38 km/h

Engine: Gasoline Engine 91 PS/2600 rpm

Crew: 6

Drawn Artillery: Motorized Field Gun, 10cm Howitzer

Production: 781 units

(source: Taki)  

A Type 92 8t Prime Mover "Ni-Ku" is seen in this video towing Zeros out of the way at Atsugi Base, Japan, August 28-30, 1945.

- Ko Model

Introduction Year: 1932

Weight: 8.0 tons

Dimensions: 4.3 x 2.0 x 2.58(h) m

Speed (max): 16 km/h

Engine: Gasoline Engine 130 PS/1600 rpm

Crew: 7

Drawn Artillery: 15cm Cannon

(Source: Taki)