FM29 IJA TYPE MEDIUM TANK TYPE3 CHI-NU LONG BARRELED

The Type 3 Chi-Nu was a Japanese medium tank from the Second World War. The first prototypes were built in 1943, and serial production continued in 1944-1945. In total, about 150 examples of this tank were built. The Type 3 Chi-Nu was powered by an engine Mitsubishi Typ 100 with 240 HP. It was armed with a single 75mm Type 3 tank gun and one 7.7mm Type 97 machine gun. The Type 3 Chi-Nu was developed in response to the Japanese Army Command's demand for a new medium tank. It was supposed to be an equal opponent for the American M 3 Lee and M4 Sherman cars. After a long process of conceptual and analytical work, it was decided to use the drive and the entire chassis of the Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha, but with the chassis and redesigned turret of the Type 1 tank. The new tank had armor up to 50 mm thick, which was at most comparable to the Allied tanks, but with outdated main armament and mediocre off-road characteristics. It was clearly inferior to the M4 Sherman. All produced Type 3 Chi-Nu tanks were sent to defend the Home Islands against the expected Allied invasion of Japan, and never took part in combat.