Chi-Nu

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Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
This page is about the Japanese medium tank Chi-Nu. For the premium version, see Chi-Nu II.
Chi-Nu
jp_type_3_chi_nu.png
GarageImage Chi-Nu.jpg
ArtImage Chi-Nu.png
Chi-Nu
AB RB SB
3.3 3.3 3.3
Class:
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Type 3 Chi-Nu (三式中戦車 「チヌ」) was built as a stop-gap measure in the pursuit to get M4 Sherman-killers such as the Chi-To & Chi-Ri II which still were being developed. The Japanese tank designers simply opted for the Chi-He hull, uplift the Type 90 (75 mm) field gun as a dedicated tank gun as the Type 3 (75 mm) tank gun and create a new hexagonal turret to house the cannon on the hull. With Japanese tank production having low priority and the Chi-Nu being greenlit in 1943, production only started in 1944 and were all reserved for the defense of the mainland.

The Type 3 Chi-Nu was introduced in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai" along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces Tree. It provides adequate protection, good firepower, and good mobility, all traits well known in the medium tank categories. The previous Japanese mediums suffer from underpowered guns or tiny calibre size, but the Chi-Nu's 75 mm gun is powerful enough to deal with its contemporaries with a single shot. The playstyle of this tank can be like any medium tank, giving the Chi-Nu the flexibility to be part of an assault force or a flanking role to support the main assault.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull50 / 25 / 20
Turret50 / 25 / 25
Crew5 people
Visibility88 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 50 mm (15°) Front plate
12 mm (76°) Front glacis
50 mm (20°) Joint plate
8.5 mm (65°) Lower glacis
20 mm (15-30°) Top
25 mm Bottom
20 mm (0-20°) Top
8.5 mm (63°) Bottom
12 mm
Turret 50 mm (15°) Turret front
50 mm (11-49°) Gun mantlet
25 mm (9-10°) 25 mm 12 mm
Cupola 50 mm 50 mm 50 mm 12 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB44 / 9 km/h
RB and SB39 / 8 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
2 back
Weight18.8 t
Engine power
AB458 hp
RB and SB240 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB24.4 hp/t
RB and SB12.8 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 44 9 18.8 372 458 19.79 24.36
Realistic 39 8 212 240 11.28 12.77

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB990 → 1 274 Sl icon.png
RB1 133 → 1 458 Sl icon.png
SB1 421 → 1 828 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications19 800 Rp icon.png
32 300 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost980 Ge icon.png
Crew training13 000 Sl icon.png
Experts47 000 Sl icon.png
Aces330 Ge icon.png
Research Aces280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
60 / 90 / 110 % Sl icon.png
136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
1 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
1 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement jp.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
1 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_jp_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition55 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
7.8 → 6.0 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
Main article: Type 3 (75 mm)
75 mm Type 3 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 55 -10°/+20° ±180° N/A 9.90 13.70 16.64 18.41 19.58 7.80 6.90 6.36 6.00
Realistic 6.19 7.28 8.84 9.78 10.40

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Type 1 APHE APHE 103 101 92 82 73 65
Type 94 HE HE 12 12 12 12 12 12
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Type 1 APHE APHE 668 6.56 1.3 15 84.8 47° 60° 65°
Type 94 HE HE 522 6.02 0 0.1 810 79° 80° 81°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Screen radius
(m)
Screen deploy
time (s)
Screen hold
time (s)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Type 90 Smoke 570 5.72 13 5 20 100

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Chi-Nu
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
55 20 (+35) (+49) (+54) No

Note:

  • Turret empty: 20 (+35)

Machine guns

Ammunition3 000 rounds
Belt capacity20 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
3.9 → 3.0 s
Fire rate499 shots/min
Ammunition1 000 rounds
Belt capacity20 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
3.9 → 3.0 s
Fire rate499 shots/min
Main article: Type 97 (7.7 mm)
7.7 mm Type 97
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 1,000 (20) 498 -10°/+70° ±60°
Hull 3,000 (20) 498 -7°/+10° ±19°

Usage in battles

This tank can be played in a similar fashion to the Pz.IV F2. Using its good mobility and excellent gun, the Chi-Nu can hit enemies at medium/ long range from a position of cover, steadily advancing towards the enemy lines. The frontal armour is stronger than a Pz.IV F2 (same thickness, more slope), but is still weak and will not protect the Chi-Nu from most guns at BR 3.3. The side armour is particularly weak, so be careful of flank attacks.

The 75 mm gun can be more closely compared to the F-34 gun used by the T-34 when using the BR-350B round. It has high post-penetration damage and just under 100 mm maximum penetration. However, no access to APCR or other high penetration rounds means the Chi-Nu is going to struggle fighting vehicles like the KV-1. These should be retreated from or flanked. Sherman tanks and T-34s may also present a problem from the front.

The Type 3 Chi-Nu has many adversaries that may be difficult to overcome, which is not helped by the tank's lacking ammo variety. The only piercing ammo available is the Type 1 APHE, which still has reasonable penetration and great explosive filler, but requires the knowledge of extremely specific weaknesses in order to take down certain foes.

Pretty much any heavy tank can give the Chi-Nu a run for its silver lions. The Chi-Nu cannot penetrate the KV-1 (L-11) from the front at all, and struggles against other vehicles like the Churchill I or Gun Carrier (3-in). The Churchill Gun Carrier has a small weak spot on the front of the tank - a viewport that can be penetrated and knock out the entire vehicle - but it is very difficult to hit, not to mention extremely dangerous. These tanks can be dealt with by shooting their sides, but that is not the case with the KV-1. In order to penetrate the KV-1 with the Chi-Nu, it is required to shoot the tank in the back of the turret ring. This incredibly specific weak spot - beneath the turret bustle on the back of the tank - is the only place where the Chi-Nu can penetrate the KV-1. Thankfully, shooting here results in a knock-out.

Tanks like the M4 Sherman and M4A1 Sherman can also be difficult to deal with from the front. It is best advised to hit those tanks around from the side or at close range. Try to aim for the centre of the M4A1 Sherman's frontal plate at close-medium range, about 15-50 m.

Most T-34 series tanks can be dealt with quite easily, but for the most part it is recommended to shoot the turret instead of the frontal plate. This plate can be tricky to deal with for the Chi-Nu, so to cut the risk of a bounce altogether it's better to just shoot the turret and incapacitate the offensive capabilities of the tank, then move in for another shot.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 75 mm gun is adequate and quite powerful
  • 75 mm shell slow drop-off, accurate in longer range
  • Good mobility
  • Low profile
  • Narrow chassis allows access through areas inaccessible by wider tanks

Cons:

  • Max frontal armour is about 50 mm and not very sloped
  • Turret front is rather flat sloped
  • Machine gun armament is restricted to front
  • Turret traverse is rather slow, even when upgraded
  • Cupola on the turret top is rather prominent and can be shot
  • Removing all ammo from turret leaves little in reserves

History

Development

Chi-Nu production line

By 1943, the tanks of the Imperial Japanese Army like the Type 95 Ha-Go and Type 97 Chi-Ha plus its improved variant were deemed to be falling behind in terms of modernizing tank designs of the American and European counterparts. This came to attention when their contact in Germany gave them information on the new Allied tanks like the American M4 Sherman. A tank able to fight these newer machines was needed, but development takes time and resources that the IJA tank industry do not have a surplus of. Eventually, an expedient was ordered as a dedicated new design was developed.[1][2] The expedient was to use a modified Type 90 75 mm field gun, a gun already proven to be effective against Allied tanks during the Philippines campaign, by adapting the gun into the Type 3 (75 mm) in models I and II[2]. The model I went onto the Type 1 Ho-Ni III and the model II went to the tank design.

The concept of the tank was made in 1943, but development would not start until May 1944. It was based off a modified Type 1 medium tank chassis, with the only major change being a larger turret ring to accommodate the initial turret design of the Chi-Ri I prototype.[2] This expedient was accepted and designated the Type 3 Chi-Nu. The tank was to begin production in September 1944, but the escalation of American bombing of the Japanese homeland from late 1944 onwards caused massive destruction of the already-weak Japanese industry. Thus by the end of the war, between 144[1] to 166[2] Type 3 Chi-Nu tanks were produced.

Combat usage

Chi-Nu being maintained

Though the Type 3 Chi-Nu were one of the more powerful tanks churned out of Japan's production lines in World War II, the produced Type 3 Chi-Nu were not sent out to reinforce Japanese forces on the Pacific islands. Instead, they were retained on the home islands as reserves for the defense of Japan against a possible Allied invasion of Japan.[2] However, with the Allied decision to bomb Japan with nuclear weapons and a massive Soviet invasion of Manchuria, Japan surrendered before their homeland was invaded, and with this means the Type 3 Chi-Nu never saw combat in World War II. Many of the tanks were decommissioned with the demilitarization of Japan and were scrapped by the American occupation forces.[2] Currently, the only surviving Type 3 Chi-Nu remains at the JGSDF Military Ordnance Training School.

Media

Skins
Images
Videos

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Zaloga Steven. Japanese Tanks 1939-1945 Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Sun, Eun Ae. [WT] Type3 Chi-Nu SENSHA. Blogger.com, 16 Nov. 2016. Web. 16 May. 2017. Website


Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (三菱重工業株式会社)
Light Tanks 
Type 95  Ha-Go · Ha-Go Commander
Medium Tanks 
Type 89  I-Go Ko
Type 97  Chi-Ha · Chi-Ha Kai
Type 1  Chi-He · Chi-He (5th Regiment)
Type 3  Chi-Nu · Chi-Nu II
Type 4  Chi-To · Chi-To Late
Type 5  Chi-Ri II
SPGs 
Chi-Ha Derived  Ho-Ro
Chi-He Derived  Ho-I
Chi-Ri Derived  Ho-Ri Prototype · Ho-Ri Production
Other  Na-To · Ro-Go Exp.
Captured  ␗Chi-Ha · ␗Chi-Ha Kai
Note  Most tank designs would be contracted by the Army Technical Bureau to Mitsubishi
See also  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (Post-War)

Japan medium tanks
Type 97  Chi-Ha · Chi-Ha Kai · Chi-Ha Kai TD · Chi-Ha Short Gun
Type 1  Chi-He · Chi-He (5th Regiment) · Ho-I
Type 3  Chi-Nu · Chi-Nu II
Type 4  Chi-To · Chi-To Late
Type 5  Chi-Ri II
Type 61 MBT  ST-A1* · ST-A2* · ST-A3* · Type 61
Type 74 MBT  ST-B2* · Type 74 (C) · Type 74 (E) · Type 74 (F) · Type 74 (G)
Type 90 MBT  Type 90 · Type 90 (B) · Type 90B "Fuji"
Type 10 MBT  TKX (P)* · TKX* · Type 10
Other  Ka-Chi
USA  ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▅M47
  *Prototype