Difference between revisions of "So-Ki"

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{{Specs-Card|code=jp_type_95_so_ki}}
+
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=jp_type_95_so_ki
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 +
<!-- ''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 '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese self-propelled anti-aircraft gun {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]].
  
[[File:So-Ki Featured Image.jpg|alt=So-Ki Featured Image|left|thumb|500x500px]]
+
This anti-aircraft vehicle features dual Type 98 20 mm cannons which have high-velocity capability and great mobility. The tank is quite fast, being built off the chassis of the Type 98 Ke-Ni, and can run away quite fast. You can use it as a scout by shooting other tanks so they show up on the map, but your primary role should be AA. This tank performs decently at it's BR of 3.3, but you'll soon get sick of it as you'll be stuck with it until the M42 Duster. Either way, it is a fairly decent AA vehicle.
 
 
The "So-Ki" is a BR 3.3 SPAAG from Japan. It features a dual Type 98 20mm guns with high velocity and great mobility.  
 
  
 
== 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.'' -->
 +
Due to the non-existent armour, literally anything can destroy the So-Ki. Enemies armed with .50 cals - tanks and planes - are particularly deadly, as they can pierce through the weak armour with no problem. Destroying this tank is easy, with a shot slightly to the right of the driver's hatch for a one-shot to knock out both crew members in the hull. A common way to go is to incapacitate the gunner, waiting for him to be replaced, and then knocking him out again. That or hull break. Fortunately, this thing is pretty fast, and there are some instances where you can literally outrun shells from enemies shooting at a fair distance away.
  
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 16 mm (16-19°) ''Front plate'' <br> 16 mm (11-72°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 16 mm (29-48°) ''Lower glacis'' || 12 mm || 10 mm (12-51°) || 9 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 8 mm (10-14°) || N/A || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels and tracks are both 15 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.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=136|rbMinHp=115}}
 +
 
 +
[[File:TYPE-98-Ho-Ki SPAAG 1.jpg|right|thumb|A three-quarter view of an early 20 mm So-Ki SPAAG.]]
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} is quite fast, being built off of the Type 98 Ke-Ni, so use this blistering speed to your advantage. You can be a scout and shoot enemies so they appear on your map - but only do this if you have a clear way to escape and aren't in danger of being sniped by an enemy sitting on a hill 700 meters away.
 +
 
 +
=== 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 98 (20 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
Double the guns means double the difficulty enemy aircraft will have with dealing with you, so be sure to aim for engines and at the centre of planes - your exposed cabin means that planes will often try to dive on you, hoping to score an easy knockout - give them a nasty surprise by filling their engines with Type 100 HE-T shells. That being said, always, always, ''always'' pay attention to what's going on in the air. Your gunner gets knocked out quickly, so be sure to always be aware of the battle in the air, as well as on the ground.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[Type 98 (20 mm)|20 mm Type 98]] (x2) || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 520 (20) || rowspan="2" | 300 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+85° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 35.22 || 48.75 || 59.20 || 65.47 || 69.65 || rowspan="2" | 3.90 || rowspan="2" | 3.45 || rowspan="2" | 3.18 || rowspan="2" | 3.00
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 23.80 || 28.00 || 34.00 || 37.60 || 40.00
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}
 +
* '''Type 100 HE-T:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}
 +
* '''Type 100 AP-T:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}
  
=== Additional armament ===
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
''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.''
+
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 +
|-
 +
| Default || 48 || 45 || 35 || 26 || 19 || 14
 +
|-
 +
| Type 100 HE-T || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2
 +
|-
 +
| Type 100 AP-T || 48 || 45 || 35 || 26 || 19 || 14
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="10" | Belt details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
 +
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 +
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 +
|-
 +
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Type 100 HE-T || HEFI-T || 950 || 0.13 || 0 || 0.1 || 6 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
| Type 100 AP-T || API-T || 928 || 0.16 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
=== Machine guns ===
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
''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:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''26''' || 2&nbsp;''(+24)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
== 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).'' -->
 +
Capture bases and attack lightly armoured targets when you can. For the most part you should be focused on an AA role, rather than an AT one, so always be listening for aircraft engines.
 +
 
 +
At its battle rating, the So-Ki can penetrate the sides of some tanks like the M4 Sherman and Pz.Kpfw. IV ausf. F2 and Pz.Kpfw. III series, but this is only at close range and generally the idea of using this tank to engage medium tanks not a very good one. This tank can deal with many lightly armoured targets like other SPAAs and some light tanks, so if you feel lucky then that is always a viable option. As for an AA role, this tank's performance is good enough for the job. It can shoot down low-flying aircraft with relative ease, and anyone who knows where to aim can easily shoot down most aircraft this tank will meet.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 +
<!-- ''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:'''
  
* Excellent rapid fire allow for aerial overkill
+
* Rapid firing cannons allow for excellent aerial coverage
* Great mobility allows for fast repositioning
+
* Great vehicle mobility allowing for fast repositioning
* Frontal protection from light MG
+
* Frontal protection from light machinegun
* Freat ammo capacity  
+
* Great ammunition storage capacity
 
* Fast reloading time
 
* Fast reloading time
 
*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* Gunner crew exposed and no rear protection
+
* Gunner crew is exposed and have no rear protection
* Very vulnerable to artillery and aerial strafing/bombing
+
* Very vulnerable to incoming artillery rounds and aerial strafing/bombing
* Rapid depletion of ammo magazines
+
* Rapid firing easily depletes ammunition magazines, trigger control required
 
 
*
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Just before WWII, in 1938, Japan wanted to develop a SPAAG capable of shooting airplanes from low altitudes and medium altitudes. The current SPAAG were only efficient for low flying airplanes.
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 +
Prior to World War II, Japan experimented with developing a SPAAG which could be mounted to several different platforms, including trucks, tanks and railroad cars. Production ended up developing a SPAAG which could shoot down aircraft at low altitudes, however, the Japanese military wanted their SPAAGs to have the capability to also shoot down aircraft at medium altitudes too. Along with the requirement to shoot down aircraft at low and medium altitudes,m the SPAAG needed to also be highly mobile and capable of providing protection to convoys from aerial attack as a defensive vehicle also.
  
The objective was to provide a capable and highly mobile SPAAG to protect ground convoys from aerial attacks and provide AA cover.
+
By 1941, Japan started prototyping two variations of the new SAAG, a single mounted Type 98 20 mm cannon known as "[[Ta-Se]]" short for Taikū ("anti-air") sensha ("tank") and the "So-Ki" which featured dual-mounted Type 98 20 mm cannons. The platform which was chosen for the SPAAG was the newly built Type 98 Ke-Ni light tank with its turret removed and the dual cannon platform installed.
  
Japan developed 2 prototypes by 1941: a single mounted Type 98 20mm gun known as "Ta-Se" and the "So-Ki" with dual-mounted Type 89 20 mm gun.
+
The crew positions of the So-Ki featured a driver situated in the centre of the vehicle and right under the anti-aircraft gun emplacement. To aid in protecting the cannon crew (gunner and loaders) a gun shield was added to block or deflect small arms fire, however, it was no match for a direct tank shell hit or strafing attack by fighters, attackers and dive bombers. A bench for the crew was mounted at the rear of the platform and could be folded out of the way to allow for placement of more ammunition magazines if necessary.
  
The platform which was chosen for the SPAAG was the newly built Type98 Ke-Ni light tank.
+
The total ammunition capacity for this vehicle was 22 belts plus two more already loaded in the cannons. The rate of fire for the Type-98 cannons was around 830 rounds per minute, however, velocities between rounds differed as they were comprised of different weights due to round type and explosive filler. Unfortunately, the So-Ki never entered production as by the time it was ready to enter service the needs of Japanese anti-aircraft vehicles had significantly evolved meaning the So-Ki was already outdated. The Japanese were also having a difficult time massing sufficient resources necessary for the production of this unit because of Allied progression in the Pacific front
  
The crew position featured a drive in the center and under the AA gun emplacement which was higher.A gun shield was added to offer protection from small arms fire to the gunner, but it was not designed to sustain a direct tank shell hit.A bench for the crew was mounted on the rear of the platform and could be folded to allow for placement of more magazines if necessary.
+
== Media ==
 +
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|_yh75uwKfV8|So-Ki SPAAG Vehicle Review - ''NuSensei''}}
  
The total ammunition capacity was 22 belts (+ the cannons already loaded).
+
== See also ==
 +
''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;''
 +
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
  
The Type 2 cannon featured a 900 m/s muzzle velocity which was excellent, but some sources state a 970 m/s speed with AP-T shells.
+
== External links ==
 
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
However the So-Ki was not chosen for production because by that time Japanese AA needs had significantly evolved and the So-Ki did not answer the new needs and also because Japan lacked the sufficient ressources for mass production because of Allied progression.
+
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
[[File:TYPE-98-Ho-Ki SPAAG 1.jpg|left|thumb]]
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
 
== Media ==
 
''So-Ki Youtube Review: -> [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yh75uwKfV8]''
 
  
== Read also ==
+
* [[wt:en/news/4378-development-so-ki-elusive-twin-guns-en/|[Devblog] So-Ki: Elusive Twin Guns]]
== Sources ==
+
* [http://sensha-manual.blogspot.com/2016/12/wt-so-ki-spaa.html [Sensha<nowiki>]</nowiki> - [WT<nowiki>]</nowiki> So-Ki SPAA]
  
* Excellent article on the So-Ki: historical: -> [http://sensha-manual.blogspot.com/2016/12/wt-so-ki-spaa.html]
+
{{Japan anti-aircraft vehicles}}

Revision as of 13:01, 28 December 2020

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
jp_type_95_so_ki.png
GarageImage So-Ki.jpg
So-Ki
AB RB SB
3.0 3.0 3.0
Class:
Research:14 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:32 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The So-Ki is a rank II Japanese self-propelled anti-aircraft gun with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai".

This anti-aircraft vehicle features dual Type 98 20 mm cannons which have high-velocity capability and great mobility. The tank is quite fast, being built off the chassis of the Type 98 Ke-Ni, and can run away quite fast. You can use it as a scout by shooting other tanks so they show up on the map, but your primary role should be AA. This tank performs decently at it's BR of 3.3, but you'll soon get sick of it as you'll be stuck with it until the M42 Duster. Either way, it is a fairly decent AA vehicle.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull16 / 12 / 10
Turret8 / 0 / 0
Crew3 people
Visibility75 %

Due to the non-existent armour, literally anything can destroy the So-Ki. Enemies armed with .50 cals - tanks and planes - are particularly deadly, as they can pierce through the weak armour with no problem. Destroying this tank is easy, with a shot slightly to the right of the driver's hatch for a one-shot to knock out both crew members in the hull. A common way to go is to incapacitate the gunner, waiting for him to be replaced, and then knocking him out again. That or hull break. Fortunately, this thing is pretty fast, and there are some instances where you can literally outrun shells from enemies shooting at a fair distance away.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 16 mm (16-19°) Front plate
16 mm (11-72°) Front glacis
16 mm (29-48°) Lower glacis
12 mm 10 mm (12-51°) 9 mm
Turret 8 mm (10-14°) N/A N/A N/A

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are both 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB49 / 8 km/h
RB and SB45 / 7 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
1 back
Weight7.0 t
Engine power
AB248 hp
RB and SB130 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB35.4 hp/t
RB and SB18.6 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 49 8 7 136 248 19.43 35.43
Realistic 45 7 115 130 16.43 18.57
A three-quarter view of an early 20 mm So-Ki SPAAG.

The So-Ki is quite fast, being built off of the Type 98 Ke-Ni, so use this blistering speed to your advantage. You can be a scout and shoot enemies so they appear on your map - but only do this if you have a clear way to escape and aren't in danger of being sniped by an enemy sitting on a hill 700 meters away.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 037 → 1 334 Sl icon.png
RB844 → 1 086 Sl icon.png
SB1 322 → 1 701 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications13 960 Rp icon.png
20 150 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost860 Ge icon.png
Crew training9 200 Sl icon.png
Experts32 000 Sl icon.png
Aces270 Ge icon.png
Research Aces250 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
70 / 70 / 100 % Sl icon.png
130 / 130 / 130 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
620 Rp icon.png
Cost:
890 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
620 Rp icon.png
Cost:
890 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 700 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
620 Rp icon.png
Cost:
890 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement jp.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 700 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
20mm_jp_type100_HE_ammo_pack
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods aa cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
620 Rp icon.png
Cost:
890 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
20mm_jp_type100_AP_ammo_pack
Research:
620 Rp icon.png
Cost:
890 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 700 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

2 x 20 mm Type 98 cannon
Ammunition520 rounds
Belt capacity20 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
3.9 → 3.0 s
Fire rate300 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 85°
Main article: Type 98 (20 mm)

Double the guns means double the difficulty enemy aircraft will have with dealing with you, so be sure to aim for engines and at the centre of planes - your exposed cabin means that planes will often try to dive on you, hoping to score an easy knockout - give them a nasty surprise by filling their engines with Type 100 HE-T shells. That being said, always, always, always pay attention to what's going on in the air. Your gunner gets knocked out quickly, so be sure to always be aware of the battle in the air, as well as on the ground.

20 mm Type 98 (x2) Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 520 (20) 300 -10°/+85° ±180° N/A 35.22 48.75 59.20 65.47 69.65 3.90 3.45 3.18 3.00
Realistic 23.80 28.00 34.00 37.60 40.00

Ammunition

  • Default: API-T · HEFI-T · HEFI-T
  • Type 100 HE-T: HEFI-T
  • Type 100 AP-T: API-T
Penetration statistics
Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Default 48 45 35 26 19 14
Type 100 HE-T 2 2 2 2 2 2
Type 100 AP-T 48 45 35 26 19 14
Belt details
Belt 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 100 HE-T HEFI-T 950 0.13 0 0.1 6 79° 80° 81°
Type 100 AP-T API-T 928 0.16 N/A N/A N/A 47° 60° 65°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the So-Ki
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
26 (+24) No

Usage in battles

Capture bases and attack lightly armoured targets when you can. For the most part you should be focused on an AA role, rather than an AT one, so always be listening for aircraft engines.

At its battle rating, the So-Ki can penetrate the sides of some tanks like the M4 Sherman and Pz.Kpfw. IV ausf. F2 and Pz.Kpfw. III series, but this is only at close range and generally the idea of using this tank to engage medium tanks not a very good one. This tank can deal with many lightly armoured targets like other SPAAs and some light tanks, so if you feel lucky then that is always a viable option. As for an AA role, this tank's performance is good enough for the job. It can shoot down low-flying aircraft with relative ease, and anyone who knows where to aim can easily shoot down most aircraft this tank will meet.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Rapid firing cannons allow for excellent aerial coverage
  • Great vehicle mobility allowing for fast repositioning
  • Frontal protection from light machinegun
  • Great ammunition storage capacity
  • Fast reloading time

Cons:

  • Gunner crew is exposed and have no rear protection
  • Very vulnerable to incoming artillery rounds and aerial strafing/bombing
  • Rapid firing easily depletes ammunition magazines, trigger control required

History

Prior to World War II, Japan experimented with developing a SPAAG which could be mounted to several different platforms, including trucks, tanks and railroad cars. Production ended up developing a SPAAG which could shoot down aircraft at low altitudes, however, the Japanese military wanted their SPAAGs to have the capability to also shoot down aircraft at medium altitudes too. Along with the requirement to shoot down aircraft at low and medium altitudes,m the SPAAG needed to also be highly mobile and capable of providing protection to convoys from aerial attack as a defensive vehicle also.

By 1941, Japan started prototyping two variations of the new SAAG, a single mounted Type 98 20 mm cannon known as "Ta-Se" short for Taikū ("anti-air") sensha ("tank") and the "So-Ki" which featured dual-mounted Type 98 20 mm cannons. The platform which was chosen for the SPAAG was the newly built Type 98 Ke-Ni light tank with its turret removed and the dual cannon platform installed.

The crew positions of the So-Ki featured a driver situated in the centre of the vehicle and right under the anti-aircraft gun emplacement. To aid in protecting the cannon crew (gunner and loaders) a gun shield was added to block or deflect small arms fire, however, it was no match for a direct tank shell hit or strafing attack by fighters, attackers and dive bombers. A bench for the crew was mounted at the rear of the platform and could be folded out of the way to allow for placement of more ammunition magazines if necessary.

The total ammunition capacity for this vehicle was 22 belts plus two more already loaded in the cannons. The rate of fire for the Type-98 cannons was around 830 rounds per minute, however, velocities between rounds differed as they were comprised of different weights due to round type and explosive filler. Unfortunately, the So-Ki never entered production as by the time it was ready to enter service the needs of Japanese anti-aircraft vehicles had significantly evolved meaning the So-Ki was already outdated. The Japanese were also having a difficult time massing sufficient resources necessary for the production of this unit because of Allied progression in the Pacific front

Media

See also

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;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Japan anti-aircraft vehicles
Ke-Ni Derivatives  Ta-Se · So-Ki
Wheeled  Type 94
Tracked  SUB-I-II
Radar SPAAG  Type 87
Missile SPAA  Type 93 · Type 81 (C)
USA  ▅M16 MGMC · ▅M19A1 · ▅M42