Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank with the Type 97 57 mm tank gun
The Type 97 Chi-Ha tank was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of the war, although the armor protection was average for a 1930s tank.[1] The 57 mm main gun, designed for infantry support, was a carry over from the 1933 Type 89 medium tank. The gun was a short barrelled weapon with a relatively low muzzle velocity, which was sufficient for supporting the infantry. However, in 1939 during the Battle of Khalkhin Gol (Nomonhan) against SovietBT Tanks, the gun proved to be insufficient against the Soviet armor, causing the Japanese Army to have heavy tank losses.[2]
57 mm tank gun Type 97
After Nomonhan, new tank guns were developed for the Chi-Ha with a calibre of 47 mm - less than 57 mm tank gun - but having a longer barrel, and better penetration than the Type 97 gun. From 1942 onwards, the Type 97 tanks were armed with the high velocity Type 1 47 mm tank gun in a new larger turret, and were designated the Type 97-Kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha.[3]
Specifications
The Type 97 57 mm tank gun had the following specifications:[4]
type, tank, originally, main, armament, imperial, japanese, army, type, medium, tank, during, second, world, design, edit, type, medium, tank, with, type, tank, most, widely, produced, japanese, medium, tank, although, armor, protection, average, 1930s, tank, . The Type 97 57 mm tank gun was originally the main armament of the Imperial Japanese Army Type 97 Chi Ha medium tank during the Second World War Design and use Edit Type 97 Chi Ha medium tank with the Type 97 57 mm tank gun The Type 97 Chi Ha tank was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of the war although the armor protection was average for a 1930s tank 1 The 57 mm main gun designed for infantry support was a carry over from the 1933 Type 89 medium tank The gun was a short barrelled weapon with a relatively low muzzle velocity which was sufficient for supporting the infantry However in 1939 during the Battle of Khalkhin Gol Nomonhan against Soviet BT Tanks the gun proved to be insufficient against the Soviet armor causing the Japanese Army to have heavy tank losses 2 57 mm tank gun Type 97 After Nomonhan new tank guns were developed for the Chi Ha with a calibre of 47 mm less than 57 mm tank gun but having a longer barrel and better penetration than the Type 97 gun From 1942 onwards the Type 97 tanks were armed with the high velocity Type 1 47 mm tank gun in a new larger turret and were designated the Type 97 Kai Shinhoto Chi Ha 3 Specifications Edit The Type 97 57 mm tank gun had the following specifications 4 Calibre 57 mm Barrel length 18 5 calibre 1 057 m Muzzle velocity 355 3 m s 1 166 ft s Elevation 15 to 20 degrees Penetration 20 mm at 500 m Shell AP HEAT Weight 1 80 kg Length 189 mm Diameter 55 mm diameterReferences Edit Zaloga Steven J Japanese Tanks 1939 45 Osprey Publishing 2007 p 11 Taki s Imperial Japanese Army Page The Development of Imperial Japanese Tanks Type 97 Medium Tank amp Shinhoto Chi Ha Taki s Imperial Japanese Army Page The Development of Imperial Japanese Tanks Shinhoto Chi Ha Taki s Imperial Japanese Army Page Tank Guns Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Type 97 57 mm tank gun amp oldid 1038334026, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
