Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha

Style 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha Story

Considered by many to be the best performing Japanese tank deployed throughout WWII, the Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha was actually an improvement on a series of medium tanks derived from the earlier Type 97 Chi-Ha design. The Chi-Ha was scheduled as early as 1936, and 1,162 units were produced from 1938 to 1943. The vehicle was classified as a medium tank, sufficient to deal with the underarmed forces encountered by Japan during its conquests in Asia and the Pacific. However, the original 57mm main gun proved to be lacking in the turmoil of the war - especially when it came to American armor.

Its value declined rapidly after 1941.

Engineers were asked to improve the Chi-Ha's design, so a new turret design was added, with faceted corners and a thick hood. The main armament is a high-speed 47mm Type 1 main gun and a pair of 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns, providing the necessary defense against enemy infantry attacks. The maximum armor is now increased to 33mm thick compared to the original 28mm tip.

At 14.8 tonnes, the vehicle is slightly lighter. The same Mitsubishi SA12200VD (170 hp) V-12 air-cooled diesel engine was retained, along with crank suspension. On ideal surfaces, road speeds exceed 24 mph. The task force consisted of four people - driver, commander, loader and gunner. Dimensions include a length of 18 feet, a width of 7 feet 8 inches, and a tower top height of 7 feet 4 inches.

Although the 97-style logo was retained, the changes made to Chi-Ha naturally forced the name to be changed to "Shinhoto Chi-Ha".

In practice, equipping the new Japanese mechanized units proved that the armor system was feasible. The first operation took place in the Philippines in 1942, followed by other operations throughout Malaya. One of the design's greatest strengths was its speed and maneuverability, making it a difficult target to focus on and quickly overrun Allied positions. Against high-explosive (HE) projectiles, the gun provides the necessary firepower against some fortifications and light vehicles (including light and some medium tanks) and infantry build-ups.

Only at the turning point of the Pacific War did the limitations of the new 97 become apparent.

It was even proven vulnerable by the artillery of American light tanks and M4 Sherman medium tanks. During the Manchuria campaign, the series did not fare much better when faced with the famously tough Soviet T-34 medium tanks, which used the effective 76.2mm main gun.

Although its nature was fairly deciphered by the end of the war, the Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha was a huge improvement over the tank types previously used by the Japanese army. In addition, it was produced in the necessary quantities to allow it to be widely used at many prestigious events at the Pacific Theatre.

As the Japanese army began to lose ground, its armored forces suffered heavy losses and never regained the lost initiative.

Specification

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Performance

Armor

Not available.

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