Type 1 "Chi-He"

The Type 1 Chi-He was an evolution of the Type 97 Chi-Ha. Indeed, the turret of the Chi-He was coupled to the Chi-Ha to create the Type 97 Kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha. It was designed following the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, in which the Type 97's low-velocity 57 mm gun was out-ranged by the Soviet 45 mm gun. A few Soviet 45 mm anti-tank guns were captured by the Japanese and they used it as the basis for the design of the new 47 mm high-velocity gun. To mount it, the Type 97 was modified, with a new welded hull and a more powerful engine, coupled together with a new turret. This new tank became the Type 1 Chi-He. It had thicker armor than the Chi-Ha. The Chi-He was found to be superior to the M3 Stuart, but was still lacking against the M4 Sherman, in spite of all the upgrades.

In-game
The Chi-He, while called a medium tank in real-life, is actually a light tank in terms of its relatively weak protection, firepower and good speed. It is best used from ambush, firing into the sides of enemy armor, or in flanking attacks against heavier tanks.

Specifications

 * Primary Weapon: 47 mm (1.85 inch) L/53.7 Type 1 gun (AP/HE)
 * Secondary Weapon: 2 X 7.7 mm (0.303 inch) Type 1 machine guns (1 hull-mounted, 1 coaxial)
 * Armor: 8 - 50 mm (0.31 - 1.97 inches)
 * Crew: 4