Specification Crew : 2 Engine Power : 32 hp Combat weight : 3,550 kg (7,827 lb) Max speed : road . 40 km/h (24.84 mph) Range : 160 km (99.36 miles) Length : 3.37 m (11.06 ft) Width : 1.62 m (5.32 ft) Height : 1.77 m (5.81 ft) Main gun 7.7 mm (0.30 in) machine gun Armour : 4mm (0.16 in) to 12mm (0.47 in)

The Japanese managed to produce a very wide array of tanks before and during the war but most were inferior to Allied tank designs.One of the most widely encountered Japanese tanks of the early war years was the Tankette Type 94 which first appeared in 1932.Originally based on a Vickers commercial design dating from the 1920's the Type 94 had a two man crew.The commander in the turret operated the vehicle's only armament a 7.7mm machine gun , but the overall design was so badly thought out that with the gun facing forward the driver could not open his exit hatch.Armour was so thin it could be penetrated by rifle bullets. The Type 94 was supposed to be a light reconnaissance platform but seems to have spent most of its time acting as an armed tractor towing supplies on a small tracked trailer , although it did see some limited action during the 1930's campaigns in China.One important asset was its narrow width which enabled it to travel along jungle tracks which other vehicles could not nogotiate.After taking part in the advances through Malaya and the early stages of the Burma campaign the Type 94 was soon withdrawn.It was obsolete well before Japan entered the war and was retained only because there was little to replace it.