Difference between revisions of "Ka-Mi"

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{{Specs-Card|code=jp_type_2_ka_mi}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=jp_type_2_ka_mi
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''Special {{Specs|name}}''' ({{Annotation|特二式内火艇「カミ」|Toku Ni-Shiki Uchibitei [Ka-Mi]}}) was a special type light tank built by the Japanese Navy for naval landing operations. Primarily based on the [[Ha-Go]] tank, the Ka-Mi was majorly modified to be a water-tight hull allowing it to float in the water, with add-on pontoons to improve high sea traversability.
 +
 
 +
The Ka-Mi was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]]. Unlike the Ha-Go, it features a slightly better Type 1 37 mm instead of the Type 94 37 mm and comes with a coaxial machine gun which is rather rare for WWII Japanese tanks. While the Ka-Mi doesn't receive its pontoons in-game, it still can float through the water as the propellers are mounted directly to the chassis and allows the tank crew to exploit aquatic terrain to their advantage, especially since the gun is shoulder stabilized, making it easier to aim with the waves.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 +
[[File:Ka-Mi-Cover.jpg|thumb|right|{{PAGENAME}} is best used from cover, where it can hide its massive body from enemy fire. Here: shooting from behind the hill on [[Eastern Europe (Ground Forces)|Eastern Europe]], village centre.]]
 +
The Ka-Mi features a very unusual layout. Being originally designed as an amphibious tank, it is very lightly armoured. With armour thickness ranging from around 8 mm, and just reaching 12 mm on the larger portions of the hull, this tank is very fragile to anything bigger than MG fire. To increase survivability, one can enter a fight backwards in order to absorb shots with the engine, though using hard cover (such as hills and rocks) is preferable.
 +
 
 +
This armour pattern really shines at distances (500+ m), where a little angling can mostly defeat HMG fire. Since most guns at this BR are quite inaccurate, exposing only your small turret should not be a problem since it is hard to hit. If caught in an open field (still at a distance), try directly facing your foe. Angling is useless with armour so thin, meaning some shells might punch through cleanly and just fly by your crew in the uninhabited portions of the tank (ammo racks located there are pretty small, so these are often missed in such cases).
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 12 mm (30°) ''Front plate'' <br> 6 mm (83°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 12 mm (4-39°) ''Lower glacis'' || 10 mm || 10 mm (12°) ''Middle'' <br> 12 mm (59°) ''Side'' || 6 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 12 mm (0-8°) ''Turret front'' <br> 30 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 12 mm (10-12°) || 12 mm (12-13°) || 6 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes'''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
* Suspension wheels and tracks are both 15 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 6 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 +
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
[[File:Ka-Mi-Amphibious-visibility.jpg|thumb|right|{{PAGENAME}} when either firing or having its propellers on becomes an extremely visible target, even from afar. The jets of water extend over 5 times the length of the tank behind it, reaching nearly 4 times its air draft.]]
 +
 
 +
The Ka-Mi provides a decent top speed on the road but lacks such mobility when going off-road. Narrow tracks make mobility in snow/desert maps really painful. A good thing to mention: this tank has a respectable reverse speed of -11 km/h with two reverse gear, which is a rare feature at this BR. It can sometimes get you out of bad situations.
 +
 
 +
Compared to other tanks at its BR, the Ka-Mi has average mobility with no significant drawbacks, offering an ability to reach most destinations with the rest of the team, or to position for sniping or ambushes. The Ka-Mi is also somewhat prone to drifting when taking sharp turns at high speed.
 +
 
 +
The Ka-Mi travels at 10 km/h (AB/RB/SB) in water but can't propel itself backwards. Trajectory should be planned accordingly to avoid being stuck.
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=124|rbMinHp=102}}
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|Type 1 (37 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The main gun of the Ka-Mi is a very basic 37 mm cannon with decent penetration and spread. A major disadvantage is its slow turn rate, making it preferable to have already aimed the turret before emerging from cover, and similarly attempting to hide it as early as possible, once the enemy emerges from a flanking direction. It does, however, feature a good depression rate, making it a potent weapon when attacking from the hills.
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
The 37 mm is a decent gun with a good reload time and good ammo count: don't bother wasting ammo while stationary, just fire on the move. This tank has a "lock", which is a primitive form of gun stabilizer, decreasing vertical movement from the main armament - at low speeds, gun handling sees significant improvement. Note that turret rotation speed is somewhat slow: pre-aim your gun in the general direction of the enemy in close-quarter engagements.
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
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 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[Type 1 (37 mm)|37 mm Type 1]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 132 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+24° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Vertical || 11.52 || 15.94 || 19.36 || 21.41 || 22.78 || rowspan="2" | 5.20 || rowspan="2" | 4.60 || rowspan="2" | 4.24 || rowspan="2" | 4.00
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 7.20 || 8.47 || 10.29 || 11.37 || 12.10
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
It's highly preferable to use the Type 1 APHE ammunition over the stock one, due to its significantly better penetration and its explosive filler. While the Type 94 shell may only damage enemy crew or components with anything barring a perfectly-placed shot, the Type 1 shell will nearly always result in an effectively destructive hit, damaging modules and crew alike. Similarly, the penetration characteristics of the Type 1 shells make all the difference between a ricochet and a successful knock-out when dealing with other tanks at this BR.
 +
 
 +
{{:Type 1 (37 mm)/Ammunition|Type 94 APHE, Type 1 APHE}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.0.44''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''132''' || 73&nbsp;''(+59)'' || 25&nbsp;''(+107)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+131)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
Due to a high maximum ammo capacity, leaving at least the first ammo rack empty could be preferred in order to reduce the chance of enemy shots causing any ammo detonation. This can be done by only carrying 73 or fewer shells. Furthermore, when angling the tank to the enemy, it's preferred to expose the left side to the enemy, rather than the right one, which will always contain a loaded ammunition rack. To prevent crew members from being knocked out, the right side should be protected whenever possible.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 +
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
[[File:Ka-Mi-Machine-Guns.jpg|thumb|right|All three machine guns visible. From top: exposed pintle mount, coaxial next to the main gun and hull mount]]
 +
{{main|Type 97 (7.7 mm)}}
 +
One thing that saves the Ka-Mi's reputation is its MG count: there are 3 of them. One is coaxial, fired by the gunner, another is pintle-mounted, also fired by the gunner, and the last is hull-mounted, fired by the machine gunner. These weapons have good burst capabilities that can take out lightly-armoured targets (Soviet SPAA trucks, open-topped SPGs, etc.). This also allows the Ka-Mi to become an unlikely SPAA, armed with three machine guns and a cannon. It can quite easily damage low-flying biplanes, although sustained hits are still required to successfully down an aircraft. One downside of the [[Type 97 tank (7.7 mm)|Type 97]] machine gun is its low ammo count, which limits bursts to a couple of seconds before having to reload. Reloads, fortunately, don't take long.
 +
 
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} has a rare setup for its BR, featuring a group of three 7.7 mm MGs that allow it to quickly dispose of enemy lightly-armoured vehicles, especially rank I SPAAGs. The MGs are supplied with limited ammo capacity, allowing for a short bursts before reloading. In effect, shorter bursts into different portions of the enemy vehicle are recommended over lengthy bursts to gradually disable modules and crew members.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[Type 97 (7.7 mm)|7.7 mm Type 97]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 4,000 (20) || 499 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 3,000 (20) || 499 || -11°/+35° || ±20°
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle || 1,000 (20) || 499 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
== Usage in battles ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
 
 +
With its average armour, firepower and mobility, the Ka-Mi should be played wisely, with a bit of finesse: you will not survive frontal engagement, neither can you flank nor snipe. This leaves you the support role. Always play as a team when driving the Ka-Mi, bringing an additional potent close-range gun to the fight, threatening your foes while more potent allies reload.
 +
 
 +
Use hills to your advantage, fall back when outnumbered and beware difficult terrain since it can slow down your manoeuvres significantly. Do not rely on the armour as even with angling, its effective protection is nearly always penetrable by enemy tanks.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* 37 mm gun has decent post-penetration damage
 +
* Has a lot of machine guns, allowing a mediocre amphibious tank to turn into an impromptu SPAA instantly
 +
* Tiny turret. Hard to target it at the range
 +
* High ammo count (both cannon and MG)
 +
* 10° gun depression
 +
* Decent reverse speed (-11 km/h)
 +
* Has a coaxial machine gun, unlike most low rank Japanese tanks
 +
* Amphibious design will float on water
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* 37 mm penetration value starting to feel lacking
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* Hull size is wider than other Japanese light tanks
 +
* Hull front plate is thin and relatively unsloped
 +
* Tiny turret, big hull. People with have no trouble targeting you
 +
* Only two ammo choice, both APHE, one is clearly superior over the other
 +
* Narrow tracks means poor off-road mobility
 +
* Low engine HP makes hill-climbing only possible at low gear, which even then is difficult
 +
* Weak armour makes you an easy target for aircraft with high penetration on their guns
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
===Development===
 +
[[File:Ka-Mi Captured Rabaul.jpg|thumb|A couple of captured Ka-Mi's with their pontoons deattached for land usage. Rabaul, 1945]]
 +
While tanks were used mainly in the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA), the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) also owned their own land forces known as the Special Naval Landings Forces (SNLF). Their standard tanks was the [[Ha-Go|Type 95 Ha-Go]], but the SNLF wanted a more capable tank fitted for amphibious landings. The Japanese have touched upon the amphibious tank concept since the 1930s, but one built to withstand rough seas needed more durability than one designed for rivers and more calm waters. The IJN approached Mitsubishi in 1941 to develop the new amphibious tank, named '''Ka-Mi''' "Special Craft". The tank was to go along with the IJA's Type 2 Ke-To light tank, using a similar turret design. The suspension of the vehicle was one derived from the Ha-Go. The amphibious capability was given to the tank via two removable pontoons on the front and back of the tank. A trunk and a tower were fitted over the engine and turret respectively to prevent water from flowing into the engine and crew compartment. The vehicle, accepted as the '''Type 2 Ka-Mi''', began production in 1943. Up to 182 tanks were produced by the end of the war, mostly supporting Japanese positions in Saipan and the Philippines.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>
 +
 
 +
===Combat Usage===
 +
[[File:Ka-Mi sailing.png|thumb|left|A '''Type 2 Ka-Mi''' sailing through the waters of occupied Dutch East Indies]]
 +
The Type 2 Ka-Mi saw combat in 1944 in Saipan and Leyte.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank" /> They assisted the stationed SNLF units on these islands in attacking the American beachheads via amphibious assaults. The Ka-Mi were also stationed in Luzon, and a handful were captured by Allied forces in 1945. Their limited numbers and usage meant they fought with relative obscurity to the IJA's [[Chi-Ha Kai|Type 97 Chi-Ha]] tanks. However, the Type 2 Ka-Mi was deemed rather successful by the IJN. Some have dubbed it the "best-designed amphibious tank of the war" after the conclusion of World War II. This led to successors like the [[Ka-Chi|Type 3 Ka-Chi]], a parallel to the [[Chi-He|Type 1 Chi-He]], and the Type 5 To-Ku, based on the [[Chi-Ri II|Type 5 Chi-Ri]].
 +
{{break}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=jp_type_2_ka_mi Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Images
 +
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150px">
 +
Ka-Chi (2).png|Type 3 Ka-Chi & Type 2 Ka-Mi landing ashore
 +
Ka-Chi (1).png|Type 3 Ka-Chi & Type 2 Ka-Mi driving across land
 +
ArtImage Ka-Mi.png|Ka-Mi driving across Jungle
 +
Type 2 ka mi 02.jpg|Ka-Mi promotional image showing front of the hull and size with a human to scale
 +
Type 2 ka mi 04.jpg|Rear of the vehicle on another promo image
 +
</gallery>
  
−
== Read also ==
+
== See also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''-->
−
''ETC.''
+
;Related Development
 +
* [[Ha-Go (Family)|Type 95 Ha-Go]] (Based off)
 +
* [[Ka-Chi|Type 3 Ka-Chi]] (Successor)
  
−
== Sources ==
+
;Tanks of comparable role, configuration, and era
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
* [[File:USA flag.png|30px|link=]] [[LVT(A)(1)]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/news/4328-development-type-2-ka-mi-beach-patrol-en/|[Devblog] Type 2 Ka-Mi: Beach Patrol]]
 +
 
 +
===References===
 +
<references />
 +
 
 +
{{ShipManufacturer Yokosuka Naval Arsenal}}
 +
{{Japan light tanks}}

Latest revision as of 23:50, 25 June 2024

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
Ka-Mi
jp_type_2_ka_mi.png
GarageImage Ka-Mi.jpg
ArtImage Ka-Mi.png
Ka-Mi
Japan flag.png Japan
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.0 1.0 1.0
Class:
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Special Type 2 Ka-Mi (特二式内火艇「カミ」) was a special type light tank built by the Japanese Navy for naval landing operations. Primarily based on the Ha-Go tank, the Ka-Mi was majorly modified to be a water-tight hull allowing it to float in the water, with add-on pontoons to improve high sea traversability.

The Ka-Mi was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai". Unlike the Ha-Go, it features a slightly better Type 1 37 mm instead of the Type 94 37 mm and comes with a coaxial machine gun which is rather rare for WWII Japanese tanks. While the Ka-Mi doesn't receive its pontoons in-game, it still can float through the water as the propellers are mounted directly to the chassis and allows the tank crew to exploit aquatic terrain to their advantage, especially since the gun is shoulder stabilized, making it easier to aim with the waves.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull12 / 10 / 10
Turret30 / 12 / 12
Crew4 people
Visibility75 %
Ka-Mi is best used from cover, where it can hide its massive body from enemy fire. Here: shooting from behind the hill on Eastern Europe, village centre.

The Ka-Mi features a very unusual layout. Being originally designed as an amphibious tank, it is very lightly armoured. With armour thickness ranging from around 8 mm, and just reaching 12 mm on the larger portions of the hull, this tank is very fragile to anything bigger than MG fire. To increase survivability, one can enter a fight backwards in order to absorb shots with the engine, though using hard cover (such as hills and rocks) is preferable.

This armour pattern really shines at distances (500+ m), where a little angling can mostly defeat HMG fire. Since most guns at this BR are quite inaccurate, exposing only your small turret should not be a problem since it is hard to hit. If caught in an open field (still at a distance), try directly facing your foe. Angling is useless with armour so thin, meaning some shells might punch through cleanly and just fly by your crew in the uninhabited portions of the tank (ammo racks located there are pretty small, so these are often missed in such cases).

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 12 mm (30°) Front plate
6 mm (83°) Front glacis
12 mm (4-39°) Lower glacis 		10 mm 10 mm (12°) Middle
12 mm (59°) Side 		6 mm
Turret 12 mm (0-8°) Turret front
30 mm Gun mantlet 		12 mm (10-12°) 12 mm (12-13°) 6 mm

Notes

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are both 15 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 6 mm thick.

Mobility

Amphibious
The design allows you to swim and control movement in the water
Speedforward / back
AB45 / 12 km/h
RB and SB40 / 10 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
2 back
Weight9.1 t
Engine power
AB219 hp
RB and SB115 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB24.1 hp/t
RB and SB12.6 hp/t
Ka-Mi when either firing or having its propellers on becomes an extremely visible target, even from afar. The jets of water extend over 5 times the length of the tank behind it, reaching nearly 4 times its air draft.

The Ka-Mi provides a decent top speed on the road but lacks such mobility when going off-road. Narrow tracks make mobility in snow/desert maps really painful. A good thing to mention: this tank has a respectable reverse speed of -11 km/h with two reverse gear, which is a rare feature at this BR. It can sometimes get you out of bad situations.

Compared to other tanks at its BR, the Ka-Mi has average mobility with no significant drawbacks, offering an ability to reach most destinations with the rest of the team, or to position for sniping or ambushes. The Ka-Mi is also somewhat prone to drifting when taking sharp turns at high speed.

The Ka-Mi travels at 10 km/h (AB/RB/SB) in water but can't propel itself backwards. Trajectory should be planned accordingly to avoid being stuck.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 45 12 9.1 124 219 13.63 24.07
Realistic 40 10 102 115 11.21 12.64

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB106 → 136 Sl icon.png
RB95 → 122 Sl icon.png
SB111 → 142 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications2 985 Rp icon.png
890 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 Sl icon.png
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces20 Ge icon.png
Research Aces96 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
10 / 10 / 20 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
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Suspension
Research:
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Cost:
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Brake System
Research:
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Cost:
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Filters
Research:
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Cost:
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Transmission
Research:
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Cost:
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Engine
Research:
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Cost:
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Improved Parts
Research:
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Cost:
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Improved FPE
Research:
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Cost:
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Crew Replenishment
Research:
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Cost:
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Horizontal Drive
Research:
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Cost:
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Adjustment of Fire
Research:
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Cost:
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37mm_type_1_APHE_ammo_pack
Research:
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Cost:
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Elevation Mechanism
Research:
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Cost:
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Artillery Support
Research:
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Cost:
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Armaments

Main armament

37 mm Type 1 cannon
Shoulder stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition132 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
5.2 → 4.0 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 24°
Main article: Type 1 (37 mm)

The main gun of the Ka-Mi is a very basic 37 mm cannon with decent penetration and spread. A major disadvantage is its slow turn rate, making it preferable to have already aimed the turret before emerging from cover, and similarly attempting to hide it as early as possible, once the enemy emerges from a flanking direction. It does, however, feature a good depression rate, making it a potent weapon when attacking from the hills.

The 37 mm is a decent gun with a good reload time and good ammo count: don't bother wasting ammo while stationary, just fire on the move. This tank has a "lock", which is a primitive form of gun stabilizer, decreasing vertical movement from the main armament - at low speeds, gun handling sees significant improvement. Note that turret rotation speed is somewhat slow: pre-aim your gun in the general direction of the enemy in close-quarter engagements.

37 mm Type 1 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 132 -10°/+24° ±180° Vertical 11.52 15.94 19.36 21.41 22.78 5.20 4.60 4.24 4.00
Realistic 7.20 8.47 10.29 11.37 12.10

Ammunition

It's highly preferable to use the Type 1 APHE ammunition over the stock one, due to its significantly better penetration and its explosive filler. While the Type 94 shell may only damage enemy crew or components with anything barring a perfectly-placed shot, the Type 1 shell will nearly always result in an effectively destructive hit, damaging modules and crew alike. Similarly, the penetration characteristics of the Type 1 shells make all the difference between a ricochet and a successful knock-out when dealing with other tanks at this BR.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Type 94 APHE APHE 46 44 36 29 23 18
Type 1 APHE APHE 57 54 39 26 18 12
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Type 94 APHE APHE 700 0.7 1.2 9 11 47° 60° 65°
Type 1 APHE APHE 800 0.72 1.2 9 12.8 47° 60° 65°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Ka-Mi
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
132 73 (+59) 25 (+107) 1 (+131) No

Due to a high maximum ammo capacity, leaving at least the first ammo rack empty could be preferred in order to reduce the chance of enemy shots causing any ammo detonation. This can be done by only carrying 73 or fewer shells. Furthermore, when angling the tank to the enemy, it's preferred to expose the left side to the enemy, rather than the right one, which will always contain a loaded ammunition rack. To prevent crew members from being knocked out, the right side should be protected whenever possible.

Machine guns

2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition7 000 rounds
Belt capacity20 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
3.9 → 3.0 s
Fire rate499 shots/min
7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun
Ammunition1 000 rounds
Belt capacity20 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
3.9 → 3.0 s
Fire rate499 shots/min
All three machine guns visible. From top: exposed pintle mount, coaxial next to the main gun and hull mount
Main article: Type 97 (7.7 mm)

One thing that saves the Ka-Mi's reputation is its MG count: there are 3 of them. One is coaxial, fired by the gunner, another is pintle-mounted, also fired by the gunner, and the last is hull-mounted, fired by the machine gunner. These weapons have good burst capabilities that can take out lightly-armoured targets (Soviet SPAA trucks, open-topped SPGs, etc.). This also allows the Ka-Mi to become an unlikely SPAA, armed with three machine guns and a cannon. It can quite easily damage low-flying biplanes, although sustained hits are still required to successfully down an aircraft. One downside of the Type 97 machine gun is its low ammo count, which limits bursts to a couple of seconds before having to reload. Reloads, fortunately, don't take long.

The Ka-Mi has a rare setup for its BR, featuring a group of three 7.7 mm MGs that allow it to quickly dispose of enemy lightly-armoured vehicles, especially rank I SPAAGs. The MGs are supplied with limited ammo capacity, allowing for a short bursts before reloading. In effect, shorter bursts into different portions of the enemy vehicle are recommended over lengthy bursts to gradually disable modules and crew members.

7.7 mm Type 97
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 4,000 (20) 499 N/A N/A
Hull 3,000 (20) 499 -11°/+35° ±20°
Pintle 1,000 (20) 499 -10°/+70° ±60°

Usage in battles

With its average armour, firepower and mobility, the Ka-Mi should be played wisely, with a bit of finesse: you will not survive frontal engagement, neither can you flank nor snipe. This leaves you the support role. Always play as a team when driving the Ka-Mi, bringing an additional potent close-range gun to the fight, threatening your foes while more potent allies reload.

Use hills to your advantage, fall back when outnumbered and beware difficult terrain since it can slow down your manoeuvres significantly. Do not rely on the armour as even with angling, its effective protection is nearly always penetrable by enemy tanks.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 37 mm gun has decent post-penetration damage
  • Has a lot of machine guns, allowing a mediocre amphibious tank to turn into an impromptu SPAA instantly
  • Tiny turret. Hard to target it at the range
  • High ammo count (both cannon and MG)
  • 10° gun depression
  • Decent reverse speed (-11 km/h)
  • Has a coaxial machine gun, unlike most low rank Japanese tanks
  • Amphibious design will float on water

Cons:

  • 37 mm penetration value starting to feel lacking
  • Hull size is wider than other Japanese light tanks
  • Hull front plate is thin and relatively unsloped
  • Tiny turret, big hull. People with have no trouble targeting you
  • Only two ammo choice, both APHE, one is clearly superior over the other
  • Narrow tracks means poor off-road mobility
  • Low engine HP makes hill-climbing only possible at low gear, which even then is difficult
  • Weak armour makes you an easy target for aircraft with high penetration on their guns

History

Development

A couple of captured Ka-Mi's with their pontoons deattached for land usage. Rabaul, 1945

While tanks were used mainly in the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA), the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) also owned their own land forces known as the Special Naval Landings Forces (SNLF). Their standard tanks was the Type 95 Ha-Go, but the SNLF wanted a more capable tank fitted for amphibious landings. The Japanese have touched upon the amphibious tank concept since the 1930s, but one built to withstand rough seas needed more durability than one designed for rivers and more calm waters. The IJN approached Mitsubishi in 1941 to develop the new amphibious tank, named Ka-Mi "Special Craft". The tank was to go along with the IJA's Type 2 Ke-To light tank, using a similar turret design. The suspension of the vehicle was one derived from the Ha-Go. The amphibious capability was given to the tank via two removable pontoons on the front and back of the tank. A trunk and a tower were fitted over the engine and turret respectively to prevent water from flowing into the engine and crew compartment. The vehicle, accepted as the Type 2 Ka-Mi, began production in 1943. Up to 182 tanks were produced by the end of the war, mostly supporting Japanese positions in Saipan and the Philippines.[1]

Combat Usage

A Type 2 Ka-Mi sailing through the waters of occupied Dutch East Indies

The Type 2 Ka-Mi saw combat in 1944 in Saipan and Leyte.[1] They assisted the stationed SNLF units on these islands in attacking the American beachheads via amphibious assaults. The Ka-Mi were also stationed in Luzon, and a handful were captured by Allied forces in 1945. Their limited numbers and usage meant they fought with relative obscurity to the IJA's Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks. However, the Type 2 Ka-Mi was deemed rather successful by the IJN. Some have dubbed it the "best-designed amphibious tank of the war" after the conclusion of World War II. This led to successors like the Type 3 Ka-Chi, a parallel to the Type 1 Chi-He, and the Type 5 To-Ku, based on the Type 5 Chi-Ri.

Media

Skins
Images

  • Type 3 Ka-Chi & Type 2 Ka-Mi landing ashore

  • Type 3 Ka-Chi & Type 2 Ka-Mi driving across land

  • Ka-Mi driving across Jungle

  • Ka-Mi promotional image showing front of the hull and size with a human to scale

  • Rear of the vehicle on another promo image

See also

Related Development
Tanks of comparable role, configuration, and era

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Zaloga Steven. Japanese Tanks 1939-1945 Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007


Yokosuka Naval Arsenal (横須賀海軍工廠)
Destroyers (DD) 
Momi-class  IJN Momi
Light Cruisers (CL) 
Mogami-class  IJN Suzuya
Heavy Cruisers (CA) 
Myōkō-class  IJN Myoko
Battlecruisers (BC) 
Kurama-class  IJN Kurama
Amagi-class  IJN Amagi
Battleships (BB) 
Fusō-class  IJN Yamashiro
Nagato-class  IJN Mutsu
Tanks  Ka-Mi · Ka-Chi · Chi-Ha LG
See also  Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal

Japan light tanks
Type 89  I-Go Ko
Type 95  Ha-Go · Ha-Go Commander
Type 98  Ke-Ni
Other  Ka-Mi
IFV  Type 89
RCV  Type 87 RCV (P) · Type 87 RCV · RCV (P)
MCV  Type 16 (P) · Type 16 (FPS) · Type 16
USA  ▅M24 · ▅M41A1

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