German tanks in Japanese service

Von Poop thank you for the info and in particular the microfilm detail.
Gato

 

Sometimes your the windshield


Sometimes your the bug

 

As the development of the Panther can be traced back to 1938, and already deployed in significant numbers in 1943. By the end of the war, Germany had built 6,000 of this design, which was never really outdated during the war. Not that it didn't have shortcomings.

It's not really fair to compare a tank in production already in 1943 to something that never left the drawing board.

Drawing board analysis tends to assume that all those little niggling flaws that plague any design just aren't. Experience shows that they exist in any design, overlooked. Yet when reality imposes its presence you end up with compromises and shortcomings.

 

Hey hey.
Found the Ontos referrence.
Crew:3
Weight: 8640Kg (19,051lb)
Range: 240Km (150 miles)
Armour: 13mm (.51 in)
Armament: 6 106 mm, 4 12.7mm spotting rifles
Powerplant: GM 302 petrol, 145 hp

Prototype developed in 1952, based on the chassis of the M56 Scorpion light anti tank vehicle.

Japans Type 60 was developed "mid 50's", delivered in 1956.
It would seem the Type 60 was based on the Ontos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_60_Self-propelled_106_mm_Recoilless_Gun