Type 95C "Yonki" (1944)
IJA light lorry (1944-45) -c500 built
The Type 95C or Mark 5 was a Pickup, lorry, light utility vehicle, used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It featured a 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine, and was designed for reconnaissance and transport. Its durability and versatility made it essential for military operations. The vehicle was also powered by a 33 HP 2-cylinder engine and the same all-wheel drive on both axles as well as being able operate in winter conditions. Type 95 Mini-truck was the truck version of
Type 95 Passenger Car "Kurogane". It was also used by the IJN. It was used at first for the Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria, and produced by Nihon Nainenki.
Development of the Type 95c
The Type C was a development of the legendary Type 95 utility 4x4 car Kurognane which appeared in 1944 with a beefier 1,400cc (1.5 liters capacity) engine, as a 2-seat pickup truck. It only saw a limited production. The Type 95 Kurogane predated the jeep or Kubelwagen it was the world's first purpose-built all-terrain car, opened (no hard roof) and entering service with the IJA (Imperial Japanese Army). Also known as "Kurogane 4×4" she was indeed manufactured by Tokyu Kurogane Kogyo Co., Ltd. from 1936 to 1944 as a light reconnaissance and utility vehicle for Chna. “Kurogane” means “black metal” in Japanese.
It was one of the first mass-produced 4WD vehicles in the world, powered by a 2-cylinder, air-cooled V-twin gasoline engine rated for 1,400cc with a power output of c33 hp for a top speed of c70 km/h (43 mph) and weight of just 1,100 kg able to carry a driver and 2 passengers seated in a trio arrangement. Range was approx. 300 km. It was used by the Imperial Japanese Army and occasionally the Navy as a reconnaissance car, liaison vehicle, and staff transport in places like China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands. It was especially valuable in mountainous or jungle terrain. Only around 4,800 units were produced, making it relatively rare. The derivative Type C was even rarer.
Design of the Type 95c
The Type C was designed as a mini truck, a pickup derived from the the basic Kurogane. It kept the sae chassis and engine, but the body was completely modified. The base Kurogane Type B already had a different body, made for 4 passengers as a Phaeton type for easier production from 1939. The Type C was a cargo utility vehicle which was redesigned in 1944 with an encosed cabin for two, and a flatbed at the rear, mounted on a similar chassis, but supports elabled a pnatform to be built upon.
Thi platform was enclosed on both sides by the body, but the back panel was hinged downwards to ease loading and unloading cargo. The cargo was protected from the elements by a tarpaulin supported by four frames. Given its miminamistic dimensions, the payload was symbolic, around 500 kgs at best. It was its 4x4 characteristics which made it appealing as an all-terrain supply truck for the troops, able to bring to frontline units, food, water and ammunitions. The engine was the very same engine rated for 1.4 liter, still air-cooled, 4-cylinder unit for an overall weight around 1.2 kgs.
With its small had cargo bed ait was used for transporting small amounts of gear or personnel and closer to light utility truck than pickup. It was probably capable of 30 hp, but with more torque, a top speed around 60 kph and range of also around 300 km. If used with bunks as a troop carrier, four could be seated face to face on side bunks in the flatbed sides, but with a full equipment for a platoon section between them. The vehicle was unarmed, except for the crew's own personal weapons, such as the Nambu pistol or the Type 100 submachine gun.
The Type 95c in action
Given its late appearance, with a production starting in 1944, most were probably sent to China and the remainder remained in the home islands. Unlike standard cargo trucks, they were mostly aimed at supplying frontline troops on th most difficult terrain and most challenging conditions. According to some photos, they were also used in an ad hoc manner with on-board armament such as a rear-mounted 13.2 mm Type 93 machine gun for example for AA protection or troop support, by default of tanks. (In research). It was nicknamed “Yonki” ("all-wheel drive") or “Daruma” after the symbol of good luck on the radiator. Nne survved to this day, only a few photos.
Type 95c specifications |
| Dimensions | Like the standard Kurogane but chassis 40 cm longer. |
| Total weight | c1200 kgs |
| Crew | 1 driver, 1 passenger |
| Propulsion | Kurogane 1.4L AC 4-cyl. 30 hp |
| Top speed | c60 kph |
| Range | c300 km |
| Total production | |