As the war in the Pacific has progressed, Japanese tank design has struggled to make gains against their adversaries. However, the application of proven rift-tech compression weapons within a heavier and better designed turret has delivered an effective medium tank based on the Chi-Nu, itself an upgrade of the Type-97 Chi-Ha. The Chi-Nu’s Improvements to the Chi-Ha’s chassis and engine, with heavier armour, and a heavier compression cannon have combined to produce a reliable, dangerous, and mobile medium tank. Whilst able to out-perform the older US tanks and most of the older Russian designs in use on mainland China, the Type 3-Hebi still lacks the capabilities of the latest generations of heavier tank but probably represents the limits of this particular chassis.
Having only reached the battlefield in 1947, the tank has made an immediate impact on the frontlines stretching across the Chinese mainland. Its use against US and Commonwealth forces in the wider Pacific has yet to be significant and it remains to be seen how it will fair in these terrains that are notoriously tough on armoured vehicles. Regardless, the ability of the compression cannon to literally rip apart medium vehicles will lead to concern to Allied commanders. Another positive of building on the existing Chi-Ha chassis has been the relatively simple manufacturing switch in Japan’s armaments factories. This should see steady production numbers and result in the tank becoming the mainstay of IJA armoured formations for years to come.
Models supplied unassembled and unpainted
