Chi-To

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This page is about the Japanese medium tank Chi-To. For the late version, see Chi-To Late.
jp_type_4_chi_to.png
GarageImage Chi-To.jpg
ArtImage Chi-To.png
Chi-To
AB RB SB
4.7 4.7 4.7
Class:
Research:33 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:105 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Type 4 Chi-To (四式中戦車 「チト」) was developed as a counter to the ever-pressing danger the Sherman possessed over Japanese 1930s infantry based tanks such as the Ha-Go and Chi-Ha. The main development point of the Chi-To (and its heavier counterpart, the Chi-Ri II) was the new high-velocity long barrel 75 mm and a new hull design over the Chi-Ha / Chi-He family allowing for larger upgrades in armour, engine, and cannons. However, due to delays in hull production and lengthy cannon development, the Chi-To would only be ready in 1945 for evaluation, and the Chi-Nu and Ho-Ni III were built as stopgap measures to fill the gap of Sherman-capable competitors until the Chi-To was fully ready.

It was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai". Playing the Type 4 Chi-To can give the player a new impression of the Japanese tree line and a lasting one considering many of the Japanese tanks after it follow the same pattern - a tank with a very powerful cannon, decent mobility, but rather fragile armour. The armour plus the tank's rather long reload means that the Chi-To is meant more for a long-distance shoot-out than a close encounter.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull75 / 35 / 35
Turret75 / 50 / 50
Crew5 people
Visibility88 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Machine gun port)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 75 mm (17°) Front plate
20 mm (76°) Front glacis
75 mm (16°), 20 mm (58°) Lower glacis
50 mm (12°) Front cheeks
50 mm (0-66°) Machine gun port
35 mm (12-30°) Top
35 mm Bottom
20 mm (73°) Top
35 mm Center
20 mm (48°) Bottom
20 mm
Turret 75 mm (16°) Turret front
50-75 mm (10°) Gun mantlet
50 mm (15-16°)
50 mm (0-65°) Right machine gun port
50 mm (15-50°) Turret rear
10 mm Turret rear underside
20 mm
Cupola 75 mm 75 mm 75 mm 20 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • 10 mm RHA plates are scattered on the lower side hull.
  • Turret ring is 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB50 / 10 km/h
RB and SB45 / 9 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
2 back
Weight30.5 t
Engine power
AB954 hp
RB and SB500 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB31.3 hp/t
RB and SB16.4 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 50 10 30.5 620 954 20.33 31.28
Realistic 45 9 354 500 11.61 16.39

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 258 → 1 619 Sl icon.png
RB1 465 → 1 885 Sl icon.png
SB1 848 → 2 378 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications29 600 Rp icon.png
57 800 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 200 Ge icon.png
Crew training30 000 Sl icon.png
Experts105 000 Sl icon.png
Aces470 Ge icon.png
Research Aces360 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
80 / 120 / 140 % Sl icon.png
148 / 148 / 148 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement jp.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_type4_APHE_ammo_pack
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition55 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.4 → 6.5 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
75 mm Type II Model II 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 12.1 16.7 20.3 22.5 23.9 8.45 7.48 6.89 6.50
Realistic 7.6 8.9 10.8 11.9 12.7

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 149 146 133 118 105 93
Type 4 Kou APHE 151 148 137 124 112 101
Type 90 HE HE 17 17 15 14 12 11
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 865 6.56 1.3 15 84.8 47° 60° 65°
Type 4 Kou APHE 865 6.75 1.2 14 80.64 47° 60° 65°
Type 90 HE HE 830 6.17 0.2 0.1 490 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Chi-To
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
55 40 (+15) 34 (+21) 28 (+27) 22 (+33) 10 (+45) (+55) No

Note:

  • Turret and hull sides empty: 22 (+33) shells.

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) 499 -10°/+70° ±60°
Hull 3,000 (20) 499 ±8° ±8°

Usage in battles

As previously stated, the Chi-To best performs in the role of sniper, engaging hulldown at medium to long range against opposing medium tanks. The good gun depression, average mobility, and good reverse speed allow you to make it to good positions at an average pace and allow you to reverse back into cover when reloading.

Against most heavies such as the IS-1/2, Tiger, or Panther, it is only worthwhile to engage if you are already entrenched in a solid defensive position. Your gun's lack of APCBC gives you poor performance against slopes and rounded armour on the IS, Panther, and angled Tigers, making any ranged engagement near useless. Against tanks such as the Jumbo 75 or 76, it is best to disengage and flank them or have teammates flank them. Against all other medium tanks, shots to the hull will suffice at most range.

The M4A3E2 Jumbo could be a menace if not handled properly as they are nigh impenetrable from the front due to its thick armour. Either try for a very precise shot through the MG port in the front or shoot the armour behind the tracks if they are angled. The best way to deal with a Sherman Jumbo is to shoot it through the side or between the side plate and the tracks. There is a small gap between the top of the tracks and the bottom of the side plate that can be easily penetrated by the Chi-To Late, and a successful penetration here usually results in a one-shot, or a destroyed/alight engine. This weak spot is relatively easy to exploit as most Jumbo drivers make the mistake of angling their armour, which gives you full view of this weak spot. If you are struggling to hit it, then a shot through the drive wheel at an angle of 45º or more usually works quite well also. You should feel no pressure to get this right the first time, as a well-angled Chi-To Late can reliably bounce the Jumbo's shells, unless the Jumbo in question happens to be sporting the 76mm M1A1 cannon.

The IS series of tanks can also be a bit of a bother to deal with. At this battle rating, you may find the IS-1, IS-2 or IS-2 mod. 1944 (rare). However, they can be defeated by exploiting the shot trap on the turret front (requires some luck), shooting the driver's hatch on the front or the gun mantlet (requires extreme precision and luck), shooting the lower frontal plate (the most reliable way to kill an IS) or shooting the frontal armour plate from a 90º angle. That being said, your tank can still one-shot the IS series you'll face by shooting directly beneath the turret ring.

You may encounter the German "Big Cat" tanks (Tiger H1, Tiger E, Panther D, Panther A) if you get seriously up tiered. In this case the best thing you can do is hit them from the side, which usually results in a one-shot. If facing a Tiger (or any German Big Cat for that matter) from the front, you should retreat. However, if his frontal plate is not angled, then it might be worth a shot to shoot between the machine gun port and driver's hatch, which will result in a one-shot. As for the panther, try to exploit the shot trap on the turret, but only as a last resort. Your first port of call should be to shoot the drive wheel, basically following the same tactics you'd use for dealing with a Sherman Jumbo.

As for some other enemies:

  • Churchill VII: do not engage from the front at all. Sneak around to the side and shoot there.
  • ARL-44: shoot the sides. It's not worth facing this tank head on, it's too much of a risk.
  • ARL-44 (ACL-1): aim for the turret if you face this tank from the front, then finish it from the sides. Be careful not to get shot.
  • M6A1: the frontal armour on this thing can be a bit fiddly. Aim for a spot that doesn't seem to have more than one armour plate layered on it.

Most tanks you face can penetrate you frontally if they shoot your frontal plate when it is not angled. It is recommended to get the first shot off and then retreat, and make a second surprise attack. Most of the time, a penetration results in a one-shot with this tank. You can penetrate pretty much any medium or light tank frontally by shooting the upper front plate, so use that to your advantage.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 75 mm cannon rivaling the T-34-85's, good penetration and very low shell drop-off.
  • APHE round can easily defeat enemy tanks.
  • A very powerful tank at 4.3, can tackle all foes at its BR bracket.
  • Decent gun depression of -11°
  • Ammo in the turret can be emptied by carrying 15 less ammo.
  • Very powerful Type 4 Kou shell with more penetration and more explosive filler.
  • Decent top armour, enough to resist strafing aircraft weapons.

Cons:

  • Armour is average and mostly flat and unangled, like the Panzer IV.
  • The Chi-To is asymmetric and is a large tank, it is difficult to hide from enemies.
  • Reload rate quite slow.
  • Angling front armour can expose the 50 mm hull cheek armour.
  • Very hard to turn on the spot, especially when stock.
  • Mediocre acceleration compared to other tanks in its BR.

History

Development

The lackluster performance of Japanese tanks in World War II called for the development of newer medium tanks in the Imperial Japanese Army. The standard tank of the time was the Type 97 Chi-Ha, which has its chassis used in many expedient models to provide a bigger gun for the Japanese inventory such as the Chi-Ha Kai, Type 1 Chi-He, Type 2 Ho-I, and Type 3 Chi-Nu. By the time of Chi-Nu, however, the Chi-Ha chassis was becoming outdated and so a new tank design using an improved chassis was needed for future development.[1]

In 1943, development started of the Chi-To tank, which features a new chassis and more powerful engine. Its armament is a 75 mm gun based off the Type 88 anti-aircraft gun, giving it a high-velocity weapon. Armour on the tank was welded and was quite thick in comparison to its predecessor at 75 mm thick. The tank was accepted for service in 1944 and was expected to enter mass production with 20 per month at Mitsubishi and 5 per month at Kobe-Seiko. In terms of Japanese armour development, the Chi-To was the most sophisticated tank to enter production levels.[1]

War's End

Despite its potential, the Type 4 Chi-To was never made in large numbers. At the war's end, only six chassis were made, with only two of those made into tanks.

The two Type 4 produced were cast into Lake Hamana between the 23 and the 28 August 1945 to avoid their capture. One was found by the U.S. occupation forces following Japan's surrender in World War II. The tank was then transported to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for tests and would eventually scrap them in October 1952.[2]

The second tank is still believed to be at the bottom of the lake. A project to find it was launched in 2013 by SM@Pe, a group of people from Hamamatsu. Inhabitants, volunteers, divers and the Windy Network Corp ( a marine studies company from Tôkyô who founded a trainning plane of the Japanese imperial army in the lake Towada in 2010) participated to research, supported by the use of a sonar and testimonials, including former soldiers who allegedly participated in the launching operation. The research did not give anything.

Media

Skins

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. Sun, Eun Ae. Chi-Ri & Chi-To: Aberdeen Tank Scrapping. YouTube, YouTube, 7 Aug. 2017, Video


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