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About the JGSDF Type 74 Winter Tank Version
Soon after the Japanese
Type 61 tank was put into service, the Ground Self Defense Force and the
Japanese Defense Agency began development and design of their next tank.
Thorough research was conducted to produce a tank that could fulfill the demands
of a modern fighting vehicle. Two experimental prototypes were built during 1968
for basic study, which were followed by improved evaluation prototypes in 1970.
Following extensive testing and modifications, the final tank version was
officially adopted as the Type 74 in September 1974. The tank featured the NATO
standard type L7A1 105mm main gun, that was produced by the Vickers company in
Great Britain. This gun uses a coaxial buffer, developed by the Japan Steel
Works Ltd. The main gun unit is mounted in a low profile cast steel turret and
matched to the latest fire control system, comprised of a laser range finder,
trajectory computer and gun stabilizer. An infrared viewer is also used for
efficient night operations. The running power for the Type 74 tank is supplied
by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. And is the Type 10ZF22WT, air cooled, V10
cylinder 2-stroke diesel engine, which is capable of 720 horsepower. The air and
hydraulic suspension system incorporates a height control system to lower its
profile even more during stationary combat conditions. For deploying in snowy
areas, the tank is camouflaged in white and green, and carries winter equipment
such as crew's skis, etc
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X-1 - Black |
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X-10 - Gun Metal |
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X-11 - Chrome Silver |
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X-2 - White |
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X-6 - Orange |
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X-7 - Red |
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X-8 - Lemon Yellow |
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XF-1 - Flat Black |
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XF-10 - Flat Brown |
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XF-15 - Flat Flesh |
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XF-16 - Flat Aluminum |
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XF-2 - Flat White |
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XF-26 - Deep Green |
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XF-49 - Khaki |
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XF-52 - Flat Earth |
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XF-56 - Metallic Grey |
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XF-62 - Olive Drab |
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XF-64 - Red Brown |
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XF-65 - Field Grey |
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