Tank origin

A project for a Japanese medium tank developed in 1945 to counteract Allied and Soviet medium and heavy tanks. The designers strove to apply the most successful technical innovations of various tank-building schools. The vehicle had torsion-bar suspension, good sloped hull armor, and a powerful gun. Due to its peculiar turtle-shell-like appearance, the new tank was given the name Kame (Japanese for "turtle"). Engineers had the separate task of increasing the rate of fire. To do this, they mounted the gun with a special external radiator meant to significantly reduce barrel heating. The new tank had good prospects, but the Japanese did not manage to build a prototype before their surrender.