FineMolds 1:35 IJA Medium Tank Type 4 "Chi-To" Prod Version

The Type 4 Chi-To was a Japanese experimental WWII medium tank. Only two prototypes of this vehicle were built between 1943 and 1944, and it never entered mass production. The Type 4 Chi-To was powered by an engine Mitsubishi AL Type 4 with 400 HP. It was armed with a single 75mm Type 5 tank gun and two 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns.

The Type 4 Chi-To was developed in response to the Japanese Army Command's demand for a new medium tank to replace the Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha tanks. At the same time, the new tank was to be an equal opponent to the American M 3 Lee and M4 Sherman vehicles, which the Japanese army encountered during the fighting in the Pacific. The Type 4 Chi-To prototypes had - by Japanese standards - a powerful 75mm gun, relatively thick armor of up to 75mm, but also proved to be highly emergency and showed problems with the power transmission. Due to the shortage of raw materials and possible problems with the implementation of the new tank into mass production, a decision was made not to make it. The Type 4 Chi-To tank was never used in combat.