Bunker Talk: Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium Tank

Monday, December 23, 2024

Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank used by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War Two.

More than 1,100 of them were made between 1938 and 1943.

They participated in combat in China, Philippines, Corregidor, Saipan, Guam, and Okinawa.

This 3D printed model in HO 1/87 scale comes unassembled in gray plastic.

It is sold by Filament Fighers from Fidelis Models.

I painted it green without first using primer paint.

I will get a few more and some will be camouflaged.

The tank was intended primarily for infantry support and the gun suffered from short range and poor armor penetration.

The leaning here is caused by the angle of the photo, not the tank!

Crew was four with a bow machine gun and a rear turret machine gun. This kit is easy to assemble and will be a great wargame model.

Roger said...: An unusal model of an unusal tank. It seems 'light' despite being 'medium', but I guess it was more than heavy enough against Chinese forces. It looks good to be fillament-printed.
Merry Christmas Mike!; December 23, 2024 at 4:27 PM
Mike Bunkermeister Creek said...: Japanese tanks were well constructed but simply technologically about 5 to 10 years behind in a tactical sense. Guns too small, armor too thin, engines too weak. But they ran well and the parts were good quality. Not really unlike most European tanks in about 1935ish.; December 23, 2024 at 10:29 PM