Special Exhibition: Technological Heritage – 80-Year-Old Tank Engines
The NPO for the Defense Technology Museum will hold a special exhibition in Gotemba City on May 2nd and 3rd, 2026, showcasing three WWII tank engines. This rare opportunity allows visitors to see the engines in their original condition before restoration, aiming to preserve mechanical heritage and raise interest in the museum's establishment.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (19h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 00:17 (490h 37m after Collected)
To preserve domestic defense equipment as mechanical technology heritage for future generations, the "NPO for the Defense Technology Museum (Location: Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Representative: Masahiko Kobayashi)" aiming to establish a museum adjacent to the East Fuji Maneuver Area, will hold an exhibition in Gotemba City for two days on Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd, 2026.
This exhibition will feature three engines: the air-cooled 12-cylinder diesel engine [SA12200VD] (manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) produced for the Japanese Army's main tank "Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank" during World War II, the air-cooled 6-cylinder diesel engine [A6120VDe] (manufactured by Kobe Steel) produced for the main light tank "Type 95 Ha-Go light tank," and the air-cooled 9-cylinder radial gasoline engine [R975] (manufactured by Continental) installed in early models of the US M4 Sherman medium tank.
Since a complete disassembly for overhaul will begin after this exhibition, this will be the first and last chance to view them in their original condition.
## ~Main Exhibits~
### "SA12200VD" Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Cooled 12-Cylinder Diesel Engine
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' air-cooled V-type 12-cylinder diesel engine (manufactured in 1942) installed in the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank, which was returned by the US Navy and is currently undergoing restoration by our association to become operational again. Since a complete disassembly for overhaul will begin after this exhibition, this is the first and last chance to view it in its original condition.
### "A6120VDe" Kobe Steel Air-Cooled Inline 6-Cylinder Diesel Engine
Kobe Steel's air-cooled inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, which was teaching material at Kyushu University's Internal Combustion Engine Laboratory. Judging from its condition, it is a valuable engine that was likely donated as teaching material during the pre-war and wartime Imperial University era, without ever being installed in a Type 95 Ha-Go light tank.
### "R975" Continental Air-Cooled 9-Cylinder Radial Engine
Continental's air-cooled 9-cylinder radial R975 engine, installed in early production models of the US main tank "M4 Sherman medium tank" during World War II. The exhibited item is an unused new product (stored in a warehouse for replacement in case of malfunction) acquired by our association from a collector.
## ~Event Outline~
- **Date and Time**
This exhibition will feature three engines: the air-cooled 12-cylinder diesel engine [SA12200VD] (manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) produced for the Japanese Army's main tank "Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank" during World War II, the air-cooled 6-cylinder diesel engine [A6120VDe] (manufactured by Kobe Steel) produced for the main light tank "Type 95 Ha-Go light tank," and the air-cooled 9-cylinder radial gasoline engine [R975] (manufactured by Continental) installed in early models of the US M4 Sherman medium tank.
Since a complete disassembly for overhaul will begin after this exhibition, this will be the first and last chance to view them in their original condition.
## ~Main Exhibits~
### "SA12200VD" Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Cooled 12-Cylinder Diesel Engine
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' air-cooled V-type 12-cylinder diesel engine (manufactured in 1942) installed in the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank, which was returned by the US Navy and is currently undergoing restoration by our association to become operational again. Since a complete disassembly for overhaul will begin after this exhibition, this is the first and last chance to view it in its original condition.
### "A6120VDe" Kobe Steel Air-Cooled Inline 6-Cylinder Diesel Engine
Kobe Steel's air-cooled inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, which was teaching material at Kyushu University's Internal Combustion Engine Laboratory. Judging from its condition, it is a valuable engine that was likely donated as teaching material during the pre-war and wartime Imperial University era, without ever being installed in a Type 95 Ha-Go light tank.
### "R975" Continental Air-Cooled 9-Cylinder Radial Engine
Continental's air-cooled 9-cylinder radial R975 engine, installed in early production models of the US main tank "M4 Sherman medium tank" during World War II. The exhibited item is an unused new product (stored in a warehouse for replacement in case of malfunction) acquired by our association from a collector.
## ~Event Outline~
- **Date and Time**