The Type 97 Chi-Ha
(九七式中戦車 チハ Kyūnana-shiki chū-sensha Chi-ha?
) was a medium tank
used by the Imperial Japanese Army
during the Second Sino-Japanese War
, the Battles of Khalkhin Gol
against the Soviet Union
, and the Second World War
. It was the most widely produced Japanese
medium tank of World War II
The 57 mm main gun, designed for infantry support
, was a carry over from the 1933 Type 89
medium tank. The suspension
was derived from the Type 95 Ha-Go
light tank, but used six road wheels instead of four.
The 170 hp Mitsubishi
air cooled diesel
engine was a capable tank engine in 1938.
The Type 97's low silhouette and semicircular radio antenna
on the turret
distinguished the tank from its contemporaries. After 1941, the tank was less effective than most Allied
In 1942, a new version of the Chi-Ha was produced with a larger three-man turret, and a high-velocity Type 1 47 mm tank gun
. It was designated the Type 97-Kai
or Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha