Special Exhibition of Tank Engines from 80 Years Ago Held

To preserve domestic defense equipment as mechanical heritage for future generations, the "NPO to Create a Defense Technology Museum" (Location: Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Representative: Masahiko Kobayashi), which aims 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 the air-cooled 12-cylinder diesel engine [SA12200VD] (manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) produced for the Type 97 Chi-I medium tank, the main battle tank of the Japanese army during World War II, and the air-cooled 6-cylinder diesel engine [A6120VDe] (manufactured by Kobe Steel) produced for the Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, also a main battle tank. Additionally, the air-cooled 9-cylinder gasoline radial engine [R975] (manufactured by Continental Motors) mounted on early models of the American M4 Sherman medium tank will be displayed. After this exhibition, the engines will be completely disassembled for overhaul. This will be the first and last chance to see them in their original condition. ~Main Exhibits~ "SA12200VD" Air-cooled 12-cylinder Diesel Engine by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries The air-cooled V-type 12-cylinder diesel engine (manufactured in 1942) by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, mounted on a Type 97 Chi-I medium tank currently being restored by our organization with the aim of making it operational, which was returned from the U.S. Navy. After this exhibition, it will be completely disassembled for overhaul, making this the first and last chance to see it in its original condition.

"A6120VDe" Air-cooled Inline 6-cylinder Diesel Engine by Kobe Steel An air-cooled inline 6-cylinder diesel engine by Kobe Steel, which was used as teaching material in the Internal Combustion Engine Laboratory at Kyushu University. Judging by its condition, it is believed to have been 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" Air-cooled 9-cylinder Radial Engine by Continental Motors The R975 air-cooled 9-cylinder radial engine by Continental Motors, which was mounted on early production models of the American main battle tank "M4 Sherman" during World War II. The exhibit is a new, unused unit acquired by our organization from a collector (it was stored in a warehouse as a spare for breakdowns).

~Event Overview~ ・Date and Time Saturday, May 2, 2026: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday, May 3, 2026: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

・Location Special venue within Kamado Automotive Factory (717-6 Kama, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture)

・Exhibition Content Actual engines such as the "SA12200VD engine for Type 97 Chi-I tank," "A6120VDe engine for Type 95 Ha-Go tank," and "R975 engine for M4 Sherman tank" will be displayed, along with the transmission and track links of the "restored Type 97 Chi-I Kai" currently undergoing restoration. (*Exhibition content is subject to change without notice.)

・Lecture Special lecture by Representative Director Kobayashi on "Restoration of the Type 97 Chi-I Kai" Held on Saturday, May 2nd: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Held on Sunday, May 3rd: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

・Admission Fee Free admission. Monthly supporter registration (optional) starting from 500 yen per month, and donations to the collection box for restoration costs (optional) will be accepted.

・Access Information ・By Public Transportation 30-second walk from Minami-Gotemba Station on the JR Gotemba Line. Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from JR Gotemba Station. Reference: Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus operates approximately once per hour from Busta Shinjuku to Gotemba Station. https://odakyu-highway.jp/express/hakone/

・By Private Car ・As parking at Kamado Automotive Factory is limited, please cooperate with carpooling when visiting by car. If the parking lot is full, please follow the instructions of the guiding staff for orderly parking.

・For visitors arriving by motorcycle or bicycle, please use the parking area in front of JR Minami-Gotemba Station.

・Special Notes ・Photography and video recording are permitted on the day without restrictions. However, please refrain from uploading to social media or secondary use beyond common sense. Tripods and other photography equipment are also allowed without restriction, but please be considerate of other visitors as the viewing space is limited.

・Please refrain from attending in cosplay (excluding those with copyright permission) such as combat uniforms, military uniforms, or anime characters, and from bringing imitation firearms or swords.

[Contact Information for Inquiries] Organization Name: NPO to Create a Defense Technology Museum, Secretariat: Kinoshita, Morita Phone Number: 0550-82-2854 (Call via Kamado Automotive Factory) E-mail: tank@k-m-d.co.jp About [NPO to Create a Defense Technology Museum] This is an NPO that has been active since 2011, aiming to establish a publicly funded defense technology museum in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture, with the goal of contributing to the inheritance and development of the machinery industry and raising public awareness of defense. In 2017, a parliamentary league of LDP Diet members ("Parliamentary League to Realize the Establishment of a Defense Technology Museum," Representative: Gen Nakatani) was formed, and the number of members who agree with its purpose is approximately 600 nationwide. ・Official HP: http://www.tank-museum-japan.com/ ・Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@npo4015 ・Reference: Crowdfunding page: https://readyfor.jp/projects/bougihaku