Difference between revisions of "Chi-Nu"

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{{Specs-Card|code=jp_type_3_chi_nu}}
+
{{About
 +
| about = Japanese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| usage = the premium version
 +
| link = Chi-Nu II
 +
}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=jp_type_3_chi_nu
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' ({{Annotation|三式中戦車 「チヌ」|San Shiki Chū Sensha "Chi-Nu"}}) 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 ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 50 mm (15°) ''Front plate'' <br> 12 mm (76°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 50 mm (20°) ''Joint plate'' <br> 8.5 mm (65°) ''Lower glacis'' || 20 mm (15-30°) ''Top'' <br> 25 mm ''Bottom'' || 20 mm (0-20°) ''Top'' <br> 8.5 mm (63°) ''Bottom'' || 12 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 50 mm (15°) ''Turret front'' <br> 50 mm (11-49°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25 mm (9-10°) || 25 mm || 12 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || 50 mm || 50 mm || 50 mm || 12 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
  
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 +
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=372|rbMinHp=212}}
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|Type 3 (75 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[Type 3 (75 mm)|75 mm Type 3]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 55 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.90 || 13.70 || 16.64 || 18.41 || 19.58 || rowspan="2" | 7.80 || rowspan="2" | 6.90 || rowspan="2" | 6.36 || rowspan="2" | 6.00
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 6.19 || 7.28 || 8.84 || 9.78 || 10.40
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
{{:Type 3 (75 mm)/Ammunition|Type 1 APHE, Type 94 HE, Type 90 Smoke}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.0.44''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''55''' || 20&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 6&nbsp;''(+49)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+54)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Note''':
  
=== Additional armament ===
+
* Turret empty: 20&nbsp;(+35)
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
 
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 +
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
{{main|Type 97 (7.7 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[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 ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
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.
  
== Usage in the battles ==
+
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.
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
 
 +
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 (Family)|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 and cons ===
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''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:'''
 
'''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 ==
 
== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
===Development===
 +
[[File:Chi-Nu production line.jpg|thumb|Chi-Nu production line]]
 +
By 1943, the tanks of the Imperial Japanese Army like the [[Ha-Go|Type 95 Ha-Go]] and [[Chi-Ha|Type 97 Chi-Ha]] plus its [[Chi-Ha Kai|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|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.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank" /><ref name="MaiChiNu" /> 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<ref name="MaiChiNu" />. The model I went onto the [[Ho-Ni III|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 [[Chi-He|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 II|Chi-Ri I]] prototype.<ref name="MaiChiNu" /> 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<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank" /> to 166<ref name="MaiChiNu" /> Type 3 Chi-Nu tanks were produced.
 +
{{break}}
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
[[File:Chi-Nu maintenance.jpg|thumb|left|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.<ref name="MaiChiNu" /> 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.<ref name="MaiChiNu" /> Currently, the only surviving Type 3 Chi-Nu remains at the JGSDF Military Ordnance Training School.
 +
{{break}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
== Read also ==
+
;Skins
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=jp_type_3_chi_nu Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Images
 +
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150px">
 +
ChiNuIGo.png|Type 3 Chi-Nu & Type 89 I-Go on display, The first and last Japanese Army production medium tank.
 +
Chi-Nu WebsiteImage 1.jpg|
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|O-NvSFl8GaE|'''Chi-Nu - Tank Review''' - ''Napalmratte''}}
 +
 
 +
== 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;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
''ETC.''
+
 
 +
;Related development
 +
* Type 97 [[Chi-Ha (Family)]]
 +
* Type 1 [[Chi-He (Family)]]
 +
* Type 3 [[Chi-Nu II]]
 +
 
 +
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
 +
* [[File:Germany flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Pz.IV (Family)]] - <small>(Late models)</small>
 +
* [[File:Kingdom Hungary flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Turan III]]
 +
* [[File:Kingdom Italy flag.png|30px|link=]] [[P40|P26/40]]
 +
* [[File:USSR flag.png|30px|link=]] [[T-34 (Family)]] - <small>(Early models)</small>
 +
* [[File:USA flag.png|30px|link=]] [[M4 Sherman (Family)|M4A1]]
 +
* [[File:Britain flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Cromwell V]]
 +
* [[File:Britain flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Valentine XI]] / [[Valentine IX|IX]]
 +
* [[File:Sweden flag.png|30px|link=]] [[Pvkv IV]]
  
== Sources ==
+
== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/news/4335-development-type-3-chi-nu-last-line-of-defense-en|[Devblog] Type 3 Chi-Nu: Last Line of Defense]]
 +
 
 +
=== References ===
 +
<references>
 +
<ref name="MaiChiNu">Sun, Eun Ae. ''[WT] Type3 Chi-Nu'' SENSHA. Blogger.com, 16 Nov. 2016. Web. 16 May. 2017. [http://sensha-manual.blogspot.com/2016/11/wt-type3-chi-nu.html Website]</ref>
 +
<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>
 +
</references>
 +
 
 +
{{Template:TankManufacturer Mitsubishi}}
 +
{{Japan medium tanks}}

Latest revision as of 11:25, 26 June 2024

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM 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

Related development
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

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 90 (B) "Fuji"
Type 10 MBT  TKX (P)* · TKX* · Type 10
Other  Ka-Chi
USA  ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▅M47
  *Prototype