A world of tanks : Japan

A World of Tanks

Japan
(Dai Nippon Teikoku)

	*Type 97 "Chi-Ha"* Weight : 15.8 ton Dimensions:5.50 x 2.33 x 2.38 mt Armor (max) : 33 mm Range : 210 km Speed (max - route) : 38 km/hr Main gun : 57 mm Crew : 4
	*Type 97 "Shinhoto Chi-Ha"* Weight : 13.5 ton Dimensions: 5.53 x 2.31 x 2.36 mt Armor (max) : 33 mm Range : 240 km Speed (max - route) : 40 km/hr Main gun : 47 mm Crew : 4

Introduced in 1937, the Medium Type 97, or Chi-Ha, was the best Japanese tank of the WWII, although it was no match for any Allied tank. The design drew heavily on features of many European tanks (nil sub sole novum !). It was powered by a V-12 diesel engine. The suspension was a considerable improvement over previous Japanese types but, still lacking shock absorbers, provided a rough ride. Armoured protection was poor.
From 1942 onwards the tank underwent many changes amongst which a larger turret, mounting a 47 mm high-velocity anti-tank gun : this was known as the Shinhoto Chi-Ha. Production of this latter model continued until the war was ended.

Type 95 "Ha-Go"
Weight : 7.6 ton
Dimensions: 4.38 x 2.05 x 2.18 mt
Armor (max) : 12 mm
Range : 160 km
Speed (max - route) : 45 km/hr
Main gun : n.1 37 mm
Crew : 3

The Light Tank Type 95 Ha-Go dated from 1935. It had a layout similar to that of the Tankette Type 94 (with enlarged road wheels and improved springing) and a crew increased to three.
By 1939 about 100 had been produced, more than any other Japanese tank.
Despite being one of the most important Japanese tanks, the Ha-Go, due to its light armoured protection, insufficient crew visibilty and poor gunnery must be judged a failure.
Production ceased in 1943.

Tankette Type 97 "Te-Ke"
Weight : 4.3 ton
Dimensions: 3.66 x 1.93 x 1.80 mt
Armor (max) : 16 mm
Range : 160 km
Speed (max - route) : 45 km/hr
Main gun : n.1 37 mm
Crew : 2

The Tankette Type 97 Te-Ke followed the Type 94, but larger and with a more powerful diesel engine. Despite planned to mount a 37 mm gun, many Type 97s retained the machine gun as main armament due to shortage of guns.
The Te-Ke was a rustic vehicle, definitely obsolete upon war ignition, with poor armament and very thin protection. It was, however, delivered to combat units throughout the first years of war because...there was little else to hand.

Type 3 "Chi-Nu"
Weight :18.3 ton
Dimensions:5.73 x 2.33 x 2.61 mt
Armor (max) : 50 mm
Range : 240 km
Speed (max - route) : 39 km/hr
Main gun : 75 mm
Crew : 5

The Typ 3 "Chi-Nu" medium tank, produced in 60 units, was retained in Japan for defending the Fatherland from the expected American invasion. When the Allies finally reached Japan, they were impressed by the good quality of this vehicle, unknown to them.

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Acknowledgment
All the color images (by G.Canestrari) and information have been selected from the "I Corazzati" book by B.Benvenuti, edited by A.Mondadori, and from "TANKS of World War Two" by J.Restayn, edited by Histoire & Collections . Further information was extracted from "Tanks of World War II", a handbook edited by COLLINS/Jane's.
All material is property of the respective authors

Page established on : July 29, 1997
Last update : January 20, 1998

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