|
The Type 5 Chi-Ri (medium ninth) tank was the last medium tank to be developed in Japan during the Second World War, although no complete examples were actually built. It was the largest, heaviest, best armoured and best armed of all Japanese tanks.
The Chi-Ri had sloped welded armour, 75mm thick at the front. The first prototype was to be armed with a 75mm gun in the turret and a 37mm gun in the front of the hull, in the position normally taken by a machine gun. It was planned to arm the production version with an 88mm gun based on the Type 99 anti-aircraft gun.
All other contemporary Japanese tanks were powered by diesel engines, but the advanced models needed for the Chi-Ri failed to appear, and so the prototype was powered by a license built 500hp BMW V-12 petrol engine.
The prototype was complete apart from the main gun by May 1945, but work was then suspended, and no further progress was made before the end of the war.
Names (see article on Japanese tank designations)
Type 5 (1945) Chi Ri (medium ninth)
Stats
Number produced: prototype only
Produced: 1945
Length: 23.98ft
Hull Width: 10ft
Height: 10ft
Crew: 5
Weight: 37 tons
Engine: 550hp BMW engine
Max Speed: 28mph/ 45 km/hr
Armour
|
Front |
Side |
Rear |
Hull |
75mm |
25-50mm |
50mm |
Turret |
50mm with 75mm mantlet |