Okay, Armo(u)r Experts, time to ante up!
While(whilst) perusing the local Half-Price Books today, I happened upon a book containing a photo of Whippets in obviously Japanese Army service. Japanese (Whippet) tanks in column road-march formation, with a Japanese infantryman (saucer cap, not steel pot) trotting along side. The tanks had the Imperial Army star painted (not in relief, like the Chi-Ha) on the nose, and are armed with (what looks like) 12.7 mm Nambu HMG's in place of the 8 mm Hotchkiss guns. My guess is late '20s, early '30's, on manoeuvers. The screwy part is the photo was captioned "Western Front, 1917." I know from my aircraft research, that the Japanese imported Nieuport 27's and Spad XIII's (Tokorosawa Ko.3 and Hei-1), but what about tanks?? I'm thinking Emhar's Whippet and Tamiya's Type-97 Tank Commander would make an interesting vignette. . . Anyone have further info???

I guess it's possible. The Japanese and British were allies in WWI, so it may have been a sign of good faith by the British to let the Japanese in on their "war-winning" weapon. Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

Nic

I know they imported european tanks, like the renault FT17... so why not a whippet ?