Soukou-Tei / AB-Tei (Family)
Soukou-Tei / AB-Tei may refer to:
Rank I Vehicle
History
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The Soukou-Tei class (装甲艇, which means "armored boat") or AB-Tei-class was a type of armored gun boats used by the Imperial Japanese Army from 1928 to 1945 in the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. It was constructed of a metal hull and powered by a diesel engine.
During the 1920s, the Imperial Japanese Army developed equipment for a complete suite of capabilities during amphibious assaults. They developed the 10 meter Shohatsu and the 14 meter Daihatsu classes of landing craft; a ship-to-shore communications boat, the 11 meter HB-O; a reconnaissance gunboat, the 14.4 meter HB-K; and the world's first landing craft carrier (Shinshū Maru). The armored boat was developed to provide close-in support for amphibious operations and was transported the same as the other landing craft.
In 1928, the prototype boat was completed and named Sakigake (さきがけ or "Pioneer" in Japanese). It was 14.4 meters, displaced 16 tons, ran on gasoline, and was armed with two 6.5 mm Type 38 machine guns and one 37 mm "Sniper" gun.
In 1930, the second boat, Kachidoki (勝鬨 or "Battle Cry" in Japanese), was completed. It was larger at 20 meters and 20 tons of displacement, ran on diesel fuel, and its armament was upgraded to one 57 mm Type 90 tank gun and two 7.7 mm Type 89 'special' machine guns. In 1932, Kachidoki saw action during the landing operation at Shanghai during the January 28 incident.
In 1933, The third boat was reduced in size to 15.5 meters with 17.5 tons displacement while keeping the same armament as Kachidoki. Armored Boat No. 3 (AB-3) was chosen as the final design and 23 additional boats were built (designated AB-4 through AB-26).
In 1937, the design was again changed increasing the length to 17.5 meters with 20 tons displacement and the speed increased to 14 knots; 10 boats of this setup were built. In 1938, the design was reduced in length to 16.5 meters with 20 tons displacement and a second 57 mm tank gun added; 11 boats of this setup were built by Osaka Iron Works (大阪鉄工所, Ōsaka Tekkosho).
In 1939, the displacement of the ship was reduced to 16.5 tons and the second 57 mm tank gun removed; 19 boats of this setup were built by Osaka Iron Works.
Due to her slow speed, she was eventually outclassed by the American patrol torpedo boats and a Japanese equivalent was developed: Ka-Ro (Family).
