Hi.
With the introduction of the type 97 medium tank Chi-Ha in 1939 the Daihatsu landing craft was reworked to cope with the larger weight of the new tank (up to 16 t). In 1940 the new landing craft became ready for production. It was named "Army N-LB-D type " or "Toku Daihatsu" ("special Daihatsu").
length: 18,5 m
width: 3,70 m
weight: 17,5 t
loading capacity: 16,5 t or 120 soldiers or 1 X type 97 medium tank Chi-Ha or smaller
engine: 2 X diesel with 60-75 hp
maximum speed: 10 kts
The Toku-Daihatsu were larger and had two engines. Some 200 were built, the number bought by IJN is not clear
In 1942 the number of landing craft had to be enlarged within short time to cope with the needs of an ocean war. So a wooden model of the Daihatsu was developed and intoduced. It was named "Mokusei Daihatsu" (short: Moku Daihatsu; "wooden Daihatsu").
length: 14,55 m
width: 3,33 m
weight: 11 t
loading capacity: 10 t or 70 soldiers or 1 X type 89 medium tank or smaller
engine: 1 X diesel with 60 hp
maximum speed: 9 kts
Various sorts of wood and plywood were used for production and several minor changes were made by local yards. About 1140 were bought by IJN, several thousand more by IJA, correct number not clear.
Yours
tom!
