A curious and somewhat ingenious Japanese armored vehicle is the Model 93 (1933) Sumida, sometimes called the "armored trolley car", since, by changing wheel rims, it can be used either as a car or an armored "trolley" on railway lines. To change it from a rail to road vehicle, the car is raised by four built-in jacks. The flanged steel tires are removed and solid-rubber tires then are placed over the wheels, an operation taking 10 to 20 minutes. The vehicle then can be driven off the rails onto the road. Substitution of the flanged tires for rubber tires adapts it for rail use. When traveling the set of tires not in use is attached to the sides of the hull.

The engine is in front, and there is a round cupola on the van-shaped hull. Road speed is estimated at about 25 miles per hour, but on rails the vehicle can attain a speed of about 40 miles per hour. Maximum armor thickness is 0.63 inch. The car is armed with one or more heavy machine guns, and there are seven rifle slits.

 
MODEL 93 (1933) "SUMIDA" ARMORED CAR

Approximate specifications
1. Weight		7.5 tons.
2. Length		21 feet 6 inches.
3. Width		6 feet 3 inches.
4. Height		9 feet 8 inches.
5. Ground clearance		16 inches.
6. Crew		6 men.
7. Armament		1 MG mounted in turret. Slits for     rifles or LMGs.
8. Armor		Up to 16-mm (0.63 inch).
9. Engine		40 horsepower.
10. Fuel		Gasoline.
11. Vision		Drivers visor slits and gun ports.
Approximate maximum performance
Speed:
On rails		37 miles per hour.
On road		25 miles per hour.

 

Model 92 (1932)

The Model 92 (1932) Osaka armored car is widely used by the Japanese. It is believed to be of Japanese design and manufacture, utilizing a standard Japanese commercial chassis. It is rubber tired with dual mounting on the rear wheels. It carries a crew of four or five and is armed with two light machine guns.

 
MODEL 92 (1932) "OSAKA" ARMORED CAR

Approximate specifications
1. Weight		6.4 tons.
2. Length		16 feet 5 inches.
3. Width		6 feet.
4. Height		8 feet 8 inches.
5. Ground clearance		11 inches.
6. Crew		4 to 5 men.
7. Armament		2 MGs.
8. Armor		8 to 11-mm (0.32 to 0.43 inch).
9. Engine		4 cylinder, 35 horsepower.
10. Fuel		Gasoline.
11. Cooling		Water.
Approximate maximum performance
1. Speed		37 miles per hour.
2. Range of action		150 miles.

 

Naval Type Model 92

Japanese naval landing parties, especially those preparing to assume garrison duties, often are landed with varying numbers of the Model 92 (1932) naval type armored car. It has six disc wheels, which are pneumatic tired, and semielliptical springs. There are auxiliary wheels just to the rear of the front wheels to prevent bellying when the vehicle is crossing rough terrain. Four light machine guns are installed.

 
MODEL 92 (1932) NAVAL TYPE ARMORED CAR

Approximate specifications
1. Weight		7 tons.
2. Length		15 feet 9 inches.
3. Width		5 feet 11 inches.
4. Height		7 feet 6 inches.
5. Ground clearance		16 inches.
6. Crew		4 men.
7. Armament		5 MGs.
8. Armor		8 to 11-mm (0.32 to 0.43 inch).
9. Engine		6-cylinder, 85 brake horsepower.
10. Cooling		Water.
Approximate maximum performance
1. Speed		50 miles per hour.