FM25 IJA TYPE 97 MEDIUM TANK IMPROVED HULL WITH 57MM CANNON TURRET

The Type 97 Chi-Ha was a Japanese medium tank from the Second World War. The first prototypes were built in 1936, and serial production continued in 1938-1943. In total, about 1,200 copies of this tank were built. The Type 97 was powered by an engine Mitsubishi SA 12-200VD with 170 HP. The armament of the vehicle - the basic version - was a single 57 mm Type 97 tank gun and two 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns. The Type 97 Chi-Ha was developed in response to a demand from the Japanese Army High Command for a new medium tank. The arsenal of the army in Osaka and the Mitsubishi concern stood up to compete. Based on the experience of the Spanish Civil War and observations from the war in China, a decision was made to adopt a tank developed by Mitsubishi, the Type 97 Chi-Ha. The new tank had good off-road mobility, but also - as shown in the clashes with the T-26 and BT-5 vehicles over Chałchyn-Gol - completely outdated armament and too thin armor. As a result, a decision was made to modernize the car, which led to the Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha version, which was developed in 1940. It featured a new 47mm Type 1 cannon, an enlarged hull and an improved engine cooling system. Type 97 tanks fought in China (1937-1945), against the Red Army in 1938-1939 and during the Pacific War of 1941-1945, especially intensively in the first - offensive phase of this conflict - in 1941-1942, especially in the Philippines and Malaya . Tanks Captured by Chinese troops during the Japanese-Chinese War, the Type 97 Chi-Ha also fought in the Chinese Civil War 1945-1949.