Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium Tank
Technical Information

Background
An improved version of the Type 97 Te-Ke. Fielded by March 1942. There were six medium sized bogie wheels inside the treads. The aerial on top of the turret was for communication. This tank was up-gunned with a short barrel 47mm main gun with 120 rounds for it. Also, two Type 97 machine guns, one in the hull another in the turret and carries 2,745 rounds for these.

Improvements
Later variants include the Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Hi (Improved Type 97) proved to be too little, too late. It was still no match for the American M4 Sherman, and its 75mm gun.

Production
Manufactured by Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Nihon and Sagami from 1940 - 1943.

Thanks to Alfred Weinzierl and Stan Gajda for assistance with this profile.

Technical Details
Crew  3-4 (Driver, Gunner, Loader, Commander)
Weight (loaded) 15.8 tons
Length  5.5m
Width  2.34m
Height  2.38m
Maximum Speed  25 mph
Armor (front) 25mm, (side) 15mm
Armament  47mm main gun, 2 x 7.7mm Machine Gun