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Type 1 "Chi-He"

Simultaneously with the medium tank "Shinhoto Chi-Ha" a new armored vehicle was developed, the design of which took into account all the shortcomings of the original "Chi-Ha" and its predecessors. The project "Type 1" or "Chi-He" finally began to resemble European tanks of that time, both in design and in combat qualities.

The Type 1 was a marked improvement over the Type 97. Its superstructure, hull, and main armament were a radical departure from previous Japanese designs. While the vehicle did retain the excellent low ground pressure ratio found in most Japanese vehicles, balance was considerably improved, the hull superstructure took on a completely new appearance, and the entire vehicle was welded, something which had only been attempted previously with tankettes.

First of all, it is necessary to note the updated design of the armored hull. For the first time in Japanese tank building, most of the parts were welded, rivets were used only in some places of the structure. In addition, in comparison with the "Chi-Ha" new "Type 1" received a more serious armor. The frontal rolled armor plates of the tank were 50 millimeters thick, the sides were two times thinner. The forehead of the turret was made of 25-mm slab and partially covered with a mask of a gun 40 mm thick.

While the welded armor plate was not as heavy as that of the M4 Sherman, it was a considerable step forward in armor protection for the Japanese, finally producing a vehicle which could provide adequate protection against Allied anti-tank rounds. Notably, the vehicle was also significantly larger than other Japanese vehicles, with a crew of five.

Of course, in comparison with foreign tanks, the level of protection of Chi-He did not look unique, but for the Japanese military industry this was a significant step forward. When designing the Type 1, the designers were tasked with increasing the protection and firepower while maintaining the weight of the machine. For this reason, the tank frame was simplified as much as possible, and in some places the structures were completely removed, the hull lines and a number of internal mechanisms were also changed.

As a result of all the changes, the new medium tank gained only a couple of tons of weight relative to Chi-Ha. The Chi-He weight was 17.5 tons. The increased weight required the installation of a new engine, it was the "Type 100" manufactured by Mitsubishi. The 240 hp engine provided the tank with a specific power of about 13-14 horsepower per ton of weight. This was enough for maximum speed when driving on a highway of 45 km / h. The remaining performance remained at the level of the previous tanks. The increased weight required the installation of a new engine, it was the "Type 100" manufactured by Mitsubishi. The 240 hp engine provided the tank with a specific power of about 13-14 horsepower per ton of weight. This was enough for maximum speed when driving on a highway of 45 km / h. The remaining performance remained at the level of the previous tanks. The increased weight required the installation of a new engine, it was the "Type 100" manufactured by Mitsubishi. The 240 hp engine provided the tank with a specific power of about 13-14 horsepower per ton of weight. This was enough for maximum speed when driving on a highway of 45 km / h. The remaining performance remained at the level of the previous tanks.

Another step towards bringing the tank to the generally accepted world view was the installation of a radio station on all vehicles and the introduction of a fifth person into the crew. Maintenance of radio communications was assigned to the tank commander, who was relieved of his duties as a gunner. Targeting a gun has now become the task of an individual crew member. The commander, gunner and loader located in the fighting compartment, which required an increase in the volume of the turret. The weapons remained almost similar to the previous Shinhoto Chi-Ha tank. The main caliber "Chi-He" - 47-mm gun "Type 1". Despite the name, this weapon was not the same as the one that was mounted on Shinhoto Chi-Ha. Before installation on the tank "Type 1" gun has undergone a major modernization. First of all, significant changes have undergone recoil devices. Suspension system in turn, retained the main features, but was also refined.

The change of the mounting studs in practice led to a decrease in the width of the horizontal sector in which the gun could move. On the Chi-He, the gun barrel deviated from the longitudinal axis only by 7.5 ° to the side. The “Type 1” tank ammunition was similar to the stock of “Shinhoto Chi-Ha” shells - 120 unitary shots of two types.

Additional armament on the "Chi-He" consisted of two 7.7-mm machine guns, located in the traditional scheme of Japanese tanks. One was mounted on trunnions in the head plate of the frontal sheet, the other at the back of the turret. 5 ° to the side. The “Type 1” tank ammunition was similar to the stock of “Shinhoto Chi-Ha” shells - 120 unitary shots of two types.

The main type 1 design work was completed before the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, then the case ended with the construction and testing of the prototype. Originally intended as a replacement for the Type 97 Chi-Ha, the Chi-He was delayed not once, but twice. The first delay occurred when it was discovered that Japan's tank production facilities would need to be completely re-tooled in order to produce the larger, all welded hull of the Type 1. As a result, production was extremely limited for the first run.

In 1942, Japan's single largest tank production run took place, but re-tooling of the factories was not ready until the second half of the year, at which point it was declared that aircraft production would be the priority of all production facilities not already given over to the shipyards.

The production of Chi-He began only in mid-1943. Naturally, by this time Japan could no longer afford the construction of particularly large batches of new armored vehicles. As a result, no more than 170 “Type 1” tanks were assembled and about a year after its launch, serial construction ceased. Other sources suggest a number as high as 587.

Other sources indiated that a little less than six hundred examples appeared, about half of which were deployed outside the home islands. Therefore, numbers were never sufficient to completely replace the Type 97. Nevertheless, a large number of turrets were produced, and this resulted in the hybrid Type 97 Shinhoto.

The Chi-He first saw combat in 1942, and was found in places such as Guadalcanal, but large numbers were not employed against the Allies until the late war period. Several examples were involved, for example, in the battles on Luzon.

During operation in the army, the new tank received an ambiguous assessment. On the one hand, a good reservation of the hull forehead under certain conditions protected the tank even from American 75-caliber guns. On the other hand, the 47-mm cannon still could not compete with the armament of enemy tanks and artillery. Therefore, he could not render any tangible influence on the course of the battles. Perhaps something would change if this tank was built in greater numbers, but there is reason to doubt it. In general, performance of the Chi He was quite good, but the small numbers deployed and Japanese armor doctrine prevented the Type 1 from perhaps making a bigger impact upon the course of the war.

There are no surviding vehicles in full condition in terms of turrets and bodies. Ministry of the Army According to the "Situation table for the status of maintenance of munitions in Showa 20," it is said that the turret repair was carried out for the 32 cars in the Sagami Army Construction Corps between April and June 1955. Detailed documentation on these vehicles has not yet been found, and details remain unknown.