Japanese Type 95 (1935) Korogane / Yonki / Daruma
Technical Information


Background
Built by Tōkyū Kurogane Kōgyō (Tokyu Kurogane Industries) later renamed Kurogane a Japanese term for iron or black iron in Ōmori near Tokyo. Designated as the Type 95 (1935), this four wheel drive scout car was powered by a Japanese designed 2-stroke horizontally opposed engine. This vehicle was the only entirely Japanese designed vehicle used by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). Nicknamed Yonki meaning all-wheel drive in Japanese. Also known as the Daruma, the Buddhist symbol for good luck or simply Korogane for the manufacturer.

Designed in 1934 with the first prototype built in 1935. Designated as the Type 95 (1935), this four wheel drive scout car was powered by a Japanese designed 2-stroke horizontally opposed engine, with two seats and a trunk. The engine and four wheel drive were designed by Tetsuji Makita, founder of Japanese Internal Combustion Engine Company and was one of Japan's first automobile engineers. As a four wheel drive vehicle, it was better suited to the rough roads and conditions in China and Manchuria.

Wartime History
The Type 95 was first used in the Nomonhan Incident (Battle of Kahlkin Gol) and later in the Second Sino-Japanese War and Pacific War. This scout car was used for reconnaissance, courier messages in the field and transport of personnel. Some models were field modified to mount a light machine gun or could fit inside the Kokusai Ku-8 glider.

Production
A total of 4,700 were built with the first prototype built in 1935. Three types were built between 1937–1944.
Production type A produced 1937-1938 was a three passenger car with an oval shaped grille.
Production type B producted 1939-1943 was a four passenger car with a square shaped grille.
Production type C was produced in 1944 and was a two passenger utility version with a closed cab in a pickup truck configuration.

Technical Details
Type  Four wheel drive, all-terrain scout car
Engine  air-cooled engine, OHV V-twin 2-cylinder engine 1.2 L 1200cc (prototype), 1.3 L 1300cc (Type A), 1.4 L 1400cc (Type B, Type C)