Japanese Type 100 Flamethrower

/ forgottenweapons
The Japanese Type 93 and its slightly-improved sister the Type 100 were the standard flame weapons of the Imperial Japanese Army for its fighting in China and the Pacific. They are a smaller and handier design than the American weapons, and less user-friendly. The Type 100 uses a rotating valve to fire, paper incendiary cartridges for ignition, and is not equipped with a pressure regulator. This means that as the fuel is consumed, the range and pressure steadily drop. This is a significant difference from the American M2, but in conjunction with properly planned tactics it could be quite effective.
The example in this video was taken brand new from the Tokyo Arsenal by a Coast Guard occupation officer in 1945 or 46 and sent back to New York complete with its case and all its accessories. It remains today the only known functioning example of the Type 100.
Thanks to Charlie Hobson for showing us the unit and demonstrating it firing, and also thanks to Adaptive Firearms for letting us use their range facilities!
You can find Charlie Hobson's book, "US Portable Flamethrowers" here:
amzn.to/1SP9yc5

[@Mildcat743]

What a title. "Flamethrower Expert", doesnt that sound like the one career day presentation that didnt suck?

[@oculusangelicus8978]

XD

[@gregoryadkins2213]

The first parent on career day,is a banker,the second parent is an accountant.then comes up oh by the way I'm an expert on flamethrowers.

[@Radeo]

@@gregoryadkins2213 Professional internet flamethrowers exist. There's just no heavy backpack to carry around.

[@billygowhoop]

I can only imagine what flamethrower collectors were like as kids

[@TheAtomicEwok]

Does the flamethrower also have a bayonet lug?

[@twogenders]

Hah hah hah. True. This is imperial Japan we are talking about, where a bayonet lug was standard on their light MG's.

[@TheInflicted]

And an adjustable sight for shooting at aircraft.

[@MrHalonoob117]

+TheInflicted never laughed so hard!

[@nejinaji]

and does it take glock magazines? would just be SUPER convenient, you know?

[@PassTheSnails]

+TheInflicted My fucking siiidddeesss

[@ekscalybur]

"Gee, I would like to set those people on fire over there, but I'm way too far away to get the job done." - classic Carlin

[@BlueSky......]

i'm trying to go darker

[@user-ellievator]

@@BlueSky......Fn/End

[@richardlooch2109]

im seeing you everywhere on yt now after we changed our profile pics. so fucking weird.

[@beez1717]

This is amazing and will go down in history as the only video that goes into detail on the japanese type 100. Future generations are going to be watching this video to learn about it!

[@hughgrection7246]

Officer : "All-right son. I want you to take this here tank of compressed gas, strap it on your back , and go stomping around where bullets , explosions and debris will be flying everywhere. It's crazy heavy, hot as hell to use, and it's going to make you incredibly popular with the enemy." Conscript : "............................................. Mommy ....... "

[@ewinrizal]

Become a flamethrower user is nightmare for every soldier across nations, both axis and allied... Many as punishment of failure...

[@hughculliton3174]

LOL - humping the PRC-77 was bad enough! Along with what Brandon said ike all of the most "efficient" weapon systems, they're freaking evil!

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

"If you do your job well, the horrendous dying screams of enemy and (occasionally) civilians haunting you at night will be your prize."

[@ramses6892]

Still beats tunnelling

[@UberMax23]

For a moment I thought that dipstick in the box was a bayonet which would have taken the japanese "bayonets for EVERYONE" mantra to a whole new level.

[@spade3779]

*BAYONET ON THE YAMATO*

[@asherhockersmith8271]

Imagine for a moment: You're desperately wounded. You took a couple MG rounds to the gut. You are going to die. You decide to go out in a blaze of glory, so you grab your flamethrower, pop a ridiculous amount of amphetamines, affix bayonet and charge in to spit and barbecue yourself and an enemy GI.

[@iwaya2010]

Extremely rare type 100 flamethrower firing video!

[@Biggus63]

Actually the Australian troops who fought the Japanese on the Kokoda track in defence of Port Moresby were surprised at how big many of the enemy troops were, especially given the prejudices of the time that tended to depict the Japanese as short sighted, bow legged pygmies. My understanding is that many of the Japanese in that campaign were elite marines so it's possible they were exceptional specimens compared to the average Japanese soldier.

[@whirving]

That was a rough and, outside of NZ and OZ, a relatively unknown struggle. Can't imagine it was a good environment for flame throwers either?

[@nor0845]

The troops they encountered were Ainu people from the Northern Islands of Japan. These were the original inhabitants of Japan, taller and more Eurasian in appearance.

[@Biggus63]

@@whirving I haven't come across any documented instances where flamethrowers were used in the Kokoda campaign. In general the terrain was so dreadful and the movement along the track too mobile for the establishment of any but the most rudimentary of prepared defences. Any time the Australians would hold them up they'd go around and attempt to outflank the position as had been so successful in the Malaya campaign. Then the Australians would conduct a fighting withdrawal to the next blocking position. As they fell back their supply problems eased and those of the Japanese became more stretched, and every single round of ammunition, every pint of water, every tin of bully beef had to be carried by hand along a track that even unladen fully fit men under no pressure struggle to walk. The Papuan porters, the so called 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels' were the unsung heroes of the campaign, carrying supplies up to the front and assisting wounded back to where they might receive at least a modicum of medical assistance. It is no exaggeration to say that without them the campaign would have been lost. Later on in the battles of Buna, Sananander and Gona as the Australians with US help fought an attritional battle to clear the Japanese from prepared positions flamethrowers and M3 Stuarts firing canister rounds were found to be invaluable.

[@Biggus63]

@@nor0845 That would explain it I guess.

[@nor0845]

R. Powell Yes, a bit of a surprise for the Aussies! As I said the Ainu were the original inhabitants of Japan who sadly, like many native peoples, had been forced to the margins of their own country and almost eradicated. Another misconception regarding Japanese was that they would be unable to fly planes because of how they were carried as babies! Cheers🙂

[@philllax1719]

"Some drooling idiot novice like me" "Right" Oof that's harsh

[@PyroCatus]

Flamethrower expert, now that's a title you can be proud of.

[@jacobvestergaard9097]

I seriously love hos he says "right" all the time. Has this old-timey vibe to it

[@lydiahanke]

Flamethrower slowmo may be the scariest thing i have seen! Man that thing is terrifying

[@Dirtbag-Hyena]

Seen some Vietnam footage ,it was not pretty .

[@lanceluthor6660]

I completely agree with you four years later. I am glad it was a fresh of the shelf model rather than one that had a lot of atrocities on its record.

[@bakerboy8910]

My uncle JR operated a flamethrower in Vietnam. He would never talk about it, but the one thing I remember him saying is that "cooking people smell like cooking pork." After being on n Iraq myself and having seen people being cooked in vehicles, I can completely agree, and can understand why he never talked about it. What a horrible death.

[@samsonthemighty9254]

It will keeeeel

[@andrewpease3688]

Yah, that's the idea.

[@Ub3rH4L0]

if there's a zombie problem, Charlie is your lvl 9000 weapons dealer

[@thenorthstarsamurai]

I hope when that time comes he will have a type 99 arisaka rifle with a bayonet

[@sorrenblitz805]

A flamethrower is actually a very poor choice of weapon for zombies. Burning doesn't exactly drop them quickly, so now you just have burning zombies coming after you. Now body disposal after dealing out a bunch of headshots would be perfect for a flamethrower.

[@PongraczDeats]

Sh*t im only on lvl 1899.

[@mikemarion19]

Forgotten weapons/Inrangetv is f'n gold

[@wikieditspam]

Fabrique Nationale d'Or.

[@thesrogg]

"Don't eat candy off the ground and fire random flamethrowers" cracked me up!

[@factornegative275]

Ripley: Whenever he says *anything* you say "right", Brett. You know that? Brett: Right.

[@TwilightsChapter13]

The outside of the box says: Type 100 Flamethrower Number 2 box The inside says (top to bottom): fuel/oil gauge (1) [hard to read, but I guess it's] gas replenishment tube (1). [The middle kanji is defunct or badly written and I can't make it out, but it's got the "gas" radical] snake tube (1) firing tube, firing tube cap (total of 1) [I'm assuming this is the wand and wand cap] Also, that last character is not an arsenal mark, it's a counter word (en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E7%AE%87) , easiest to translate as "1 piece", although there is no direct equivalent in English. Also, if you have a high-res picture of the instructions I can help translate it. My Japanese is not great, but I speak Mandarin natively and therefore have a better grasp of kanji than native Japanese speakers.

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

Mutenri He ever get back to you?

[@TwilightsChapter13]

Vicus Utrecht nope

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

Mutenri​ Hmmm

[@b33lze6u6]

no bayonet lug?! this weapon would have made wayy more sense with a bayonet than an mg

[@b33lze6u6]

Centurion CRO it would probably ruin the temper to some extent, but not like you really need tempered steel just to stab a dude

[@genericfakename8197]

Maybe they expected their flamethrower dudes to use their bayonets like fighting knives.

[@CrayPlaySwe]

This weapon is to weed people out of holes. Not to use in close combat. You kinda have to rely on your mates to have your back if you're wearing the flamethrower

[@CrayPlaySwe]

not if it's steel

[@curtisbrown547]

because a flamethrower isn't enough close combat prowess.

[@irondom]

Amazing content. So glad stuff like this exists on KZbin.

[@Karelwolfpup]

do you intend to show off German flamethrowers as well?

[@n0pr0hd81]

and the British liveboy

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Hopefully, yes.

[@Karelwolfpup]

Forgotten Weapons ah cool, did the Soviets have their own flamethrowers as well or was that handled by lendlease?

[@Neuttah]

Their own. From what I remember, they were designed to look like standard infantry backpacks and Mosin rifles.

[@Karelwolfpup]

Neuttah fjah, the wand was, certainly.

[@Panzerfan93]

I know that old swiss army flamethrowers were given to the police to act as man portable water cannons Grenadiers also used to fill them with manure on excersises (instead of water), and yes they used them on fellow soldiers

[@Panzerfan93]

definitley

[@pakman422]

Really cool you got to look at and do videos of all these flamethrowers! Just plain AWESOME!

[@s.thompson9]

I can’t believe out of the thousands of those things made that’s the only one still working and preserved like that. I was just as surprised to find out how small the numbers are for surviving ww2 aircraft. We should have done more work post war to preserve more of these historical vehicles and items...

[@rilledulu]

Once again you have delivered... Your vids are highly addictive....

[@Anon26535]

The Type 100: taking hibachi to the next level.

[@michaelroudybush7069]

It never ceases to amaze me how intelligent Ian is.

[@richardlooch2109]

really...

[@heavymetalfool]

Very cool video, and the slow motion shots looked absolutely amazing. More Charlie Hobson for the people!

[@ivyssauro123]

12:59 "You get away from the water vulnerability on a electric system and you go to..." " *PAPER* " ".. yeah"

[@General.Longstreet]

Charlie seems like a cool dude. Hope him and Ian do some other vids

[@smittie1911]

I never cease to be amazed by the amount of cool history you find!Keep up the great work!

[@BingBongFYaLife]

Such a cool video. I really like the Charlie videos and can't wait to see the next one

[@RyanGreentea]

Hate to correct you Ian, but the symbol you thought was 'the mark of the Tokyo Arsenal' is actually a Kanji character. It is a measure word that states the amount of equipment, in this case being stored in the box. It is a linguistic feature which is not used in the English language often but very commonly used in both Japanese and Chinese.

[@philconti1945]

Charlie Hobson was amazing so knowledgeable and friendly

[@nicholasmaugeri759]

Great Video Ian! very few even think about this particular Item and ill admit until I saw this video, all I knew was of the weapons model number. Keep up the good work

[@TonboIV]

Hey Ian, if you could get Charlie to send you some high res photos of the Japanese text, I could have a go at translating it. I'm only a student of Japanese, but I can muddle my way through most of the time. The text on the box lid is interesting. I was aware that before the American occupation, Japanese horizontal writing was right-to-left, to match the pattern of vertical writing, but this is the first time I've seen a historical example. It also uses old character forms of course. Here's my transcription: 機射發焔火式◯◯一 箱號ニ第 Keeping in mind that this is read backwards, "One zero zero formula flame discharge device" and "Number two box". The second line is very interesting since it suggests there was in fact a box for the tank pack. I was also able to read most of the inventory list: 油量計　　　　　一箇　"Oil quantity meter. One piece." ＊＊管　　　　　一箇　" * * tube. One piece." 蛇　管　　　　　一箇　"Corrugated tube. One piece." 発射管発射管帽共一箇　"Discharge tube discharge tube cap together. One piece." The last item confuses me, but perhaps it means "Discharge tube with discharge tube cap" Anyway, please get me some good photos of all the writing if you can! I'm lousy at Japanese, but I'm at least a few steps better than guess work! PM me if you want to speak privately.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

The discharge tube and cap would be what we call the wand and nozzle, while the corrugated tube is the flexible hose. I'll see if I can get good photos of the text...thanks!

[@TonboIV]

That was my thinking also, but I wanted to avoid adding any bias to my translation. I managed to read the characters in the second item. 塡氣管 Some obscure old characters in that one. 塡氣 isn't a word in any dictionary I've checked, though I get some Chinese search results for 填氣 , which is a variant. Image search shows pictures of inflatable packing material and a BB gun being loaded. The characters mean "Fill in/up" "Spirit/air" "Pipe/tube" so "Air/gas filling tube" seems like a probable meaning. You guys never mentioned what the Japanese were using as a pressurant.

[@MeowMeowDeathRay]

Thats the gas filling tube. 塡 filling 氣 gas 管 tube. Gas in terms of compressed air not fuel.

[@ForgottenFirearm]

On 「塡氣管」I get something like "input-air-tube" or "insert-flow-tube." Good job on the other elements!

[@siloseeairenicus5889]

the word "式" is better translated to type, not formula. :)

[@kevinsullivan3448]

I kno an older gentleman, Thowas Hall, who was a Marine flame thrower opperator during WWII. He burned stuff all across the Pacific. Unfortunately, while he will talk about how the FT was used and what it was like to fire it, we will not talk about how he used it in combat. Those kinds of stories are still important, not for the gory details, but so that later generations will have those stories from the men who did it, not people who cowered State side while other risked or lost their lives.

[@oddballsok]

makes sense..not to talk about the gory mummies he fried ...but what you can ask him is this: Did he VOLUNTEER to carry the FT, or was he appointed. If volunteering; why. If appointed: again, on what characteristics was the soldier chosen to train and carry this awesome but also awfull weapon..

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

Thanks Ian and Charlie! Good work, as always! Be interesting to know who usually got assigned the operator role in the allied armies, was it on a volunteer basis like being a sniper, for example?

[@thepezfeo]

US aircraft had "self-sealing" fuel tanks that used a combo of vulcanized rubber, untreated natural rubber, and reinforcing fabric. Did anyone ever try to make make self-sealing flamethrower tanks, or were there any fuel additives that would "clot" to seal holes or neutralize the fuel?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

This would not be practical, as the flamethrower tanks are pressurized (unlike aircraft fuel tanks).

[@wierdalien1]

but the hoses did have that around the outside of the hose between the inner hose and the amour sheath.

[@willpugh8865]

they just kinda vent violently, they dont really blow up unless its something like a motor that hits you

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

will pugh *mortar

[@dallasbatman5164]

Pezfeo german ss flame throwers had tar mixed into the fuel

[@robertgutheridge9672]

Another great video. My grandfather carried a m2 flamethrower during midway campaign

[@imikewillrockyou]

The things mankind does to each other.

[@Nexfero]

Awesome video, interesting that it didnt have a pressure regulator but that chain valve over the shoulder is pretty neat

[@gregoryadkins2213]

I heard from my deceased uncle when he was in the pacificWW-2,that flame throwers,suck up all the oxygen/air around you when fired.

[@richardlooch2109]

kinda makes sense.

[@JackkDevil]

Probably did not suck the oxygen but filled it with CO2 and CO and make it difficult to breath.

[@kazbluesky]

Your channel is fantastic!

[@weezal112]

You have either a cool job or an awesome hobby! Great video.

[@RukaSubCh]

These are really cool. The design of the Japanese flame thrower quite different looking than the M1

[@Flymoki13]

Japanese flamethrowers were introduced about 10 years earlier than American types and featuring 3-cylinder design, it is pretty clear to me who mimicked whom

[@willemkauffeld7679]

you made an error in the end. You are thanking him for the m2 flamethrower in the text.

[@swillm3ister]

I'm genuinely not understanding why this channel isn't yet above a million subs.

[@MrBeard17]

PPE is sunglasses, a cap and grandpa shirt. Old man is old school.

[@mauricematla1795]

Another cool one Ian.

[@gregmiller9710]

...and now Ian has moved on from bullets to napalm.... koolll....:)

[@andrewwoodhead3141]

Just watched the US M2 , now watching this. Awesome !

[@johng9331]

Happy to send photos

[@MrLolotrololo]

This VLOGS with FT are BEST! Wery interesting!

[@heintmeyer2296]

I love how its implied that safety was 4th when listing the design considerations for the M2

[@333CLEAR]

Awesome video.

[@rollbot]

dude is salty you dropped his nozzle in the dirt hahaha

[@dazladazlander9259]

Great video, But no fire suit? Just a short sleeve cotton summer shirt. He,s got no fear.

[@scullystie4389]

Dazla Dazlander they didn't wear fire suits in WWII either, though at least they had long sleeves, lol

[@jort93z]

Just a guess, but it would make sense that the valve on the "barrel" works the other way so it can be used as a grip while firing, since it has no classical trigger or grip like the american ones.

[@boffinboy100]

Idea for a forgotten weapon topic/video to do (if not already): Wieger StG 940 series. I haven't found that much info but the little I have found was highly interesting

[@RAVEN_SPRING_]

Pisses me off when museums sell stuff like that

[@Faffel]

Charlie kicks ass.

[@ADVtheMISSIONARY]

Awesome thanks guys

[@drmaudio]

How great to have the original packaging.

[@scabbynack]

"They're efficient" haha

[@PalofGrrr]

Thank you

[@evanmurphy6640]

The ability fo the operator to turn himself on is truly revolutionary

[@chrisvaiuso6010]

Awesome! We need a separate Patreon page for Ian so we can send him to Vietnam so he can do a video on the M132 Armored flametank.

[@hughculliton3174]

A brilliant series, Ian BZ from Canada! WRT flamethrowers, they all just look like big bullet magnets. That's the sort of detail old Canadian doctrine would recommend a commander give to the least popular member of the platoon. Ian, a question: Given the quality and depth of your excellent podcasts, I know that you ain't no dummy. So why didn't you gents wear fire-protective suits? Would it have merely been moot and only serve to prolong the agony?

[@Bluehammer32]

So Ian are we going to see some more flamethrowers Roks-2/ flammenwerfer series or even a British portable No2?

[@DOSsector]

Giving flamethrower to public library? What a wonderful idea!

[@dick_richards]

I love this Guy!!

[@rotwang2000]

I would love to see the Einstossflammenwerfer 46 in action.

[@coleding1011]

The 箇 at the end of each number is just a counter word. The mark for the Tokyo arsenal looks something like a three petaled flower.

[@smokeydops]

Why doesn't it have a bayonet?! This disappoints me greatly! Thanks for the video, ian

[@jimmothypakistan5223]

smokeydops I know right! There really should be a bayonet

[@xtxt9135]

You really wouldn't want to be attached to something like that when things go south. Probably not something you would want to be found with if you were captured,either

[@Lankythepyro]

Flame troopers were apparently invariably treated horribly when captured

[@IRMentat]

National treasures. All 3 of you.

[@jk-76]

the heat must be intense. I've fired a wide variety of firearms, some in sketchy condition at best and I'm afraid of flamethrowers.

[@jk-76]

meaning I want to fire one but I would be terafied.lol

[@jamie-ox8sg]

Its not the only one left in existence

[@lainewhitaker1749]

Until you listed it as a dipstick, I thought it was a bayonet, because Japanese XD

[@petterv6604]

Can you show Hanz's flamethrower?

[@london_james]

slowmo is so cool

[@johng9331]

oh ! the photos I sent of the one in CAMP-731 the concentration camp museum in Harbin is it the same?

[@sheep1ewe]

It´s a must to thumb up everything here that says flamethrower!

[@steveallen8987]

One thing the British crocodile tank flamethrower, I have seen video of mixing in what looked like a yelling agent so the US wasn’t the only country to use gelled fuel in flamethrowers

[@AUSTINwazhere]

Very interesting

[@ROGUE-Two-Actual]

I don't know if it was just the audio, distance from microphone, background noise how quiet are these things. the firing seemed nearly silent.

[@Ordog213]

I am a little late to the show now, but did you ever find a german one shot flameweapon? We used the "Handflammpatrone DM 34"?

[@titaniumdiveknife]

Such a beautiful unicorn. Very jealous atm.

[@richardlooch2109]

Very sizzled wheels make for the best dog.

[@TheGutshotpro]

What would this go for at auction? Any ideas?

[@dareka9425]

Ian and Charlie were speculating the reason why the Type 100 have uneven pressure compared to the M2 and possible tactics used. Then KZbin auto loaded a video about an Imperial Japanese Army assault which actually demonstrated what they've just speculated. That was cool.

[@hippoace]

can u share the link?

[@dareka9425]

There's a flamethrower operator towards the end showing what Ian and Charlie had speculated. He attacked from max range and then finish off by getting close to the pill box's door. You just have to watch through a whole lot of people jumping out of planes first.

[@DanTaninecz]

You guys almost seemed to touch on this early in the vid, but is the decreasing pressure function here also to conserve fuel? Would this result in less fuel used per charge? Were the Japanese more concerned about this than the US due to the embargo and their fuel shortages? Do German weapons of this type demonstrate similar built in limitations? Thanks. Great vid as always.

[@DanTaninecz]

@@justforever96 respectfully, I disagree. Every little bit helps when it comes to saving fuel. Indeed, all savings in this realm are marginal ones. It would of course be cheaper to use no fuel, but that's hardly an option. In any event, the empirical reality and the plan for implementation don't have to line up. This happens all the time. In other words, a bean counter may have seen this as a good way to save fuel, even if in reality it wouldn't make much difference.

[@iexist.imnotjoking5700]

I thought the Japanese found oil in the Dutch East Indies? Also, William Walker raises good points. It just doesn't make much sense for them to use so much oil for aircraft and ship operations, sometimes knowing they won't return, just to then go to the lengths of putting an extra valve on one of relatively few flamethrowers so they can save a gallon or two over the course of some weeks.

[@Riazor1370]

When you turn the pistol 90 deg the barrel rise would be sideways, so while 180 deg the barrel would be rise down?

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

I wanted to get a better look at the ignition cartridges.

[@theoreticalphilosophizer7119]

yeeeeeeeees what a awsome chanel.

[@robertdole5391]

Problem with the tactics you describe is that EVERYTHING is dependent on actually closing with the pillbox to be able to dump flaming liquid down a vent hole. Sounds good in theory but you may need to dump a whole flame thrower (american style) just to close distance and have nothing left at the end. Additionally US Army (and I am sure other nations) had demolition charges in satchels to throw into firing ports to destroy the pillbox. So like ALL weapons they don't work in a vacuum both along side other weapons.

[@jaredneaves7007]

Screw the flamethrower... I want his library!

[@ElvenMans]

After a while it looks like he is trying to put the flames out, heh.

[@Marzi]

Shot that flame thrower like a boss

[@SilentRazor1uk]

Oh great scalding Scott, another flamingly hot flame thrower to watch & learn from to both Ian & to Charlie, describing in their factually flameproof ways of insight, historical & engineering feats and combatant informative stories in a flameboyant (mispelled) ways of humour, truth and concise manner. Another well cooked and nicely grilled video production, sautéd to perfection.. Thanks Ian & to Charlie :D. P.S. Sorry for my fiery sounding humour, I mean it in manner of a respectful torch, and not a ruddy ember of discontent.