History[]
The Type 61 (61式戦車) was a main battle tank that was based of the American M47 Patton MBT, developed and used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Development started in 1955 and the vehicle was first deployed in April 1961. The number in the vehicle's name follows the year of deployment. A total of 560 of the Type 61 were manufactured between 1961 to 1975, when production ceased.
Due to Japan being allowed to remilitarize during the Korean war allowing for Japan to remilitiarize for defense this in turn allowed Japan to purchase American produced M24 and M43E8 tanks though were shown to be becoming obsolete and with the option of purchasing the M47 the Japanese deckined this offer which resulting in the development of the Type 61 which was the first Japanese tank since WWII to be built by Japan though parts of it was inspired by American designs.
In Game[]
The Type 61 is one of the more uncommon tanks to find on the battlefield, as its playstyle is preferred by only a rather few. It has a great gun, with good alpha damage, and good accuracy. However, its Penetration is lacking as it struggles to penatrate heaviky armored targets due to it lacking APDS rounds and its armor is thin and won't repel any shots at all, and its speed is rather slow. Because of these statistic, the Type 61 performs best as a sniper in bigger maps and as an ambushing unit in smaller maps. Combining his positiv stats, this tank is a excellent sniper, or close combat to kill people fast. In close combat, staying on the outsides of the map, will give you a lower change to get hit. Due the lack of gun elevation and armor plus the high profile this tank is an easy prey for T-62s and high rate of fire tanks such as the M48 Patton.
Pros[]
- Great gun with high alpha damage, good accuracy and penetration values
- DPM is very healthy
- Good gun depression
- Respectable mobility
- Equipped with smoke grenades
Cons[]
- Cannot use APDS or HEAT rounds
- Speed is pretty slow
- Gun elevation is lacking