Type 97 Shinhōtō Chi-Ha
| Type 97 Shinhōtō Chi-Ha | |
|---|---|
|
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 5 |
| length | 5.52 m |
| width | 2.33 m |
| height | 2.23 m |
| Dimensions | 14.8 tons |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | 8–33 mm armor steel |
| Main armament | 1 × Type 1 47mm cannon |
| Secondary armament | 2 × 7.7 mm type 97 -MG |
| agility | |
| drive | 4-cylinder diesel engine 125 kW (170 PS ) at 2000 rpm |
| suspension | Angle lever |
| Top speed | 38 km / h |
| Power / weight | 8.5 kW / ton |
The Type 97 Shinhōtō Chi-Ha ( Japanese 九七 式 中 戦 車 新 砲塔 チ ハ , kyūnana-shiki chūsensha shinhōtō chi-ha , German "Type 97 medium tank: new gun turret Chi-Ha") was a light Japanese Tank from WWII . The tank was the successor to the Type 97 Chi-Ha .
history
Since the Type 97 Chi-Ha was too weakly armed against tanks, the Type 97 Shinhōtō Chi-Ha was developed. Essentially, a new turret was installed, armed with a 47mm high muzzle velocity cannon. The Type 97 Shinhōtō Chi-Ha is considered the best Japanese tank of World War II.
The Type 97 Shinhōtō Chi-Ha was first used on Corregidor Island in 1942. The tank was based on experience of tank operations in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The Japanese engineers based themselves on German, Soviet and Italian vehicles. The Type 97 Shinhōtō Chi-Ha was originally designed to support the Japanese mechanized infantry. This strategy turned out to be very successful in many battles against British troops. The tank was used in combat operations throughout the Pacific and East Asia and was able to hold its own on the battlefield. The vehicle was also used against the Red Army in Manchuria in 1945 .
Web links
- Detailed technical description (English)