The Type 97 Chi-Ha (九七式中戦車 チハ Kyunana-shiki chu-sensha chiha?) was a medium tank used by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War, at Nomonhan against the Soviet Union, and in the Second World War. It was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of World War II, although the armor protection was considered as average in the 1930s. The 57 mm main gun, designed to support the infantry, was a carry over from the 1933 Type 89 medium tank. Later it was replaced by 47 mm gun more effective against enemy armor. The 170 hp Mitsubishi engine was a capable engine for the tank in 1938, and – notably for the time – it was a nonflammable diesel. After 1941, the tank was considered less effective than most Allied tank designs. The Type 97's low silhouette and semicircular radio antenna on the turret distinguished the tank from its contemporaries. The crude suspension was derived from the Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, but used six road wheels instead of four.
The Chi-Ha is the main battle tank of Japan in FHSW and is available on a lot of maps. The tank is usually far inferior to the American M4 Sherman. Sometimes the Chi-Ha is equipped with HEAT shells that can deal a lot of damage and take out Sherman's pretty fast. Using this special ammo can be a bit tricky because you have to press and hold the "Up" key while shooting. This is necessary because with the Up/Down Keys you also switch the camera between the cannon and machine gun in the back of the turret.
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Type 97 Chi-Ha Pillbox[]
Type 97 Chi-Ha Pillbox
General Historical Information
Place of origin
Japan
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Category
Medium tank
Speed
0 km/h
Main armament
57 mm Type 97 gun 114 shells
Coaxial weapon
↓ 7.7 mm Type 97 MG 50 x 30 rounds
General Ingame Information
Used by
Japan
Crew in‑game
2
Ammunition
(↑ HEAT) · HE
Seat 2
Commander Cupola
Seat 3
7.7 mm Type 97 MG 50 x 30 rounds or Flamethrower 21 seconds
Historical Picture
[[File:{{{History Picture}}}|300px]]
Broken tank used as Pillbox in fortifications. It's armed with the same 57 mm Type 97 gun and the two machine guns. It's dug down in the ground and can't be moved but got sandbags as additional cover. Due to the low silhouette it's hard to spot for enemy tanks but mostly to hit, since if the enemy knows the map it will be targeted if it poses a threat.
Type 97 Chi-Ha Flamethrower[]
Also used as Pillbox in fortifications like on Iwo Jima. It still has the 57 mm gun but the bow machine gun is replaced by a flamethrower.