Miyake, Koji/Arthur, Gordon Japanese Type 74 Main Battle Tank

The Type 74 tank (74TK) is a battle tank of the modern Apanese army (JGSDF). It was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a supplement to the earlier Type 61 tank. The first prototype was delivered in 1968. It was a second-generation main battle tank equipped with a 105 mm L7A1 gun. The 74TK was designed to be as small and inconspicuous as possible. When first introduced, it was unique in that it could change its attitude using the hydropneumatic suspension to raise or lower the hull. This also provided a stable firing platform, which increased firing accuracy. The Type 74 was considered obsolete even before it entered service. Since 2019, the Type 74 has been decommissioned and replaced by the eight-wheeled "Mobile Combat Vehicle" Type 16, which is the subject of another "Trackpad" title. This book presents the recovery, air defence and bridge-laying versions of the Type 74, which are all based on the same chassis.