Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium tank (Japanese)

Description

The Type 97 Chi-Ha was a medium tank used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Developed in the late 1930s, it was one of Japan’s most produced and widely used tanks. The Chi-Ha was designed to provide better armour and firepower compared to its predecessors, addressing the need for a more capable armoured vehicle in the Japanese arsenal.

The tank was powered by a Mitsubishi SA12200VD air-cooled diesel engine, producing 170 horsepower, which allowed it to reach speeds of up to 38 km/h. The Type 97 had a crew of four and was initially armed with a Type 97 57 mm tank gun. However, due to its inadequate performance against Allied armour, it was later upgraded to the Type 1 47 mm tank gun, which had better anti-tank capabilities. The tank also featured two Type 97 7.7 mm machine guns for secondary armament.

The Chi-Ha’s armour ranged from 8 to 25 mm, providing basic protection against small arms fire and shrapnel. It saw extensive service in various theatres, including China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands. The Type 97 Chi-Ha was involved in notable battles such as the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, the invasion of the Philippines, and the Battle of Guadalcanal. Despite its limitations, the Chi-Ha remained in service throughout the war and played a significant role in Japan’s armoured warfare history.

• Country/Army: Japanese
• Material: UV Cured resin
• Original Designer: Wargame3D
• All models are produced under license with the original designer.
• These models are designed for modellers and collectors. They are not toys and are not suitable for children.
• Model supplied unassembled and unpainted. Additional finishing may be required during assembly.
• Finished colour of the product may vary from images shown due to material availability and differences in batches.
• Photos show 28mm models unless noted otherwise.
• All dimensions are complete with weapons unless otherwise stated.
• Other scales and dimensions may be available upon request.
• Models supplied at scales smaller than 20mm may be an alternative design more suitable for small scale prints. These may be sourced from a different designer to the one noted above and the model may differ in details such as lacking camo netting, stowage, having a chunkier weapon barrel, tracks etc.