Difference between revisions of "Chi-Nu"

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{{Specs-Card|code=jp_type_3_chi_nu}}
 
{{Specs-Card|code=jp_type_3_chi_nu}}
 +
{{Notice|''This page is about the medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''. For the premium version, see [[Chi-Nu II]]''}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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[[File:GarageImage_Type3ChiNu.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_Type3ChiNu.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
The '''Type 3 Chi-Nu''' is a Rank II Japanese medium tank with a battle rating of 3.3. It was introduced in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]] along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces Tree.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]] along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces Tree.
  
 
The Type 3 Chi-Nu is arguably Japan's first ''good'' medium tank with 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 caliber size, but the Chi-Nu's 75 mm gun is powerful enough to deal with its contemporaries. Play style with this medium tank can be played just 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.
 
The Type 3 Chi-Nu is arguably Japan's first ''good'' medium tank with 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 caliber size, but the Chi-Nu's 75 mm gun is powerful enough to deal with its contemporaries. Play style with this medium tank can be played just 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.
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''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
 +
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
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|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
  
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
+
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Weight (tons)
 
! Weight (tons)
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
+
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
+
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
|rowspan="2" | 18.8 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 43 (AB)  
+
| rowspan="2" | 18.8 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 43 (AB)  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|39 (RB/SB)
 
|39 (RB/SB)
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
+
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="1" | Mode
+
! colspan="1" | Mode
 
!Stock
 
!Stock
 
!Upgraded
 
!Upgraded
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|240
 
|240
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
+
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="1" | Mode
+
! colspan="1" | Mode
 
!Stock
 
!Stock
 
!Upgraded
 
!Upgraded
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="6" | [[Type 3 (75 mm))|75 mm Type 3]]
+
! colspan="6" | [[Type 3 (75 mm)|75 mm Type 3]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
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! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
|-
| ''Arcade'' || 6.20 || 8.60 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
| ''Arcade'' || 6.20 || 8.60 || _.__ || 18.4 || _.__
 
|-
 
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 6.20 || 7.30 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
+
| ''Realistic'' || 6.20 || 7.30 || _.__ || 9.8 || _.__
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
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! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
|-
| 7.80 || 6.90 || _.__ || _.__
+
| 7.80 || 6.90 || 6.4 || _.__
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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|}
 
|}
  
===== [[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
[[File:Ammoracks Chi-Nu.png|right|x250px|thumbnail|[[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] on the Chi-Nu]]
+
[[File:Ammoracks Chi-Nu.png|right|x250px|thumbnail|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] on the Chi-Nu]]
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the 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 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).''-->
 
<!--''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).''-->
This tank can be played in a similar fashion to the Panzer IV F2. Using its good mobility and excellent gun, you can hit enemies at medium/ long range from a position of cover, steadily advancing towards the enemy lines. Your frontal armour is stronger than a Panzer IV F2 (same thickness, more slope), but is still weak and will not protect you from most guns at BR 3.3. The side armour is particularly weak, so be careful of flank attacks.  
+
This tank can be played in a similar fashion to the Panzer 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 Panzer 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 75mm gun can be more closely compared to the F34 gun used by the T34 when using the BR-350B round. It has high post penetration damage and just under 100mm maximum penetration. However, you do not have access to APCR or other high penetration rounds, meaning you are going to struggle fighting vehicles like the KV-1. These should be retreated from or flanked. Sherman tanks and T34s may also present a problem from the front.
+
The 75 mm gun can be more closely compared to the F34 gun used by the T34 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 T34s 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.  
 
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 you a run for your money. The Chi-Nu cannot penetrate the '''KV-1 (L-11)''' from the front at all, and struggles against other vehicles like the '''A22 Churchill mk. I''' or '''A22(D) Churchill 3-inch Gun Carrier'''. The Churchill gun carrier has a small weak spot on the front of the tank - a viewport that can penetrated and one-shot 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 kill the KV-1 with the Chi-Nu, you have 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 one-shot.
+
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 '''A22 Churchill mk. I''' or '''A22(D) Churchill 3-inch Gun Carrier'''. The Churchill gun carrier has a small weak spot on the front of the tank - a viewport that can penetrated and one-shot 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 one-shot.
  
 
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 meters.  
 
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 meters.  
  
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 a kill.  
+
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 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".''-->
 
<!--''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".''-->
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
* 75 mm gun is adequate and quite powerful.
+
 
* 75 mm shell slow drop-off, accurate in longer range.
+
* 75 mm gun is adequate and quite powerful
* Good mobility.
+
* 75 mm shell slow drop-off, accurate in longer range
* Low profile.
+
* Good mobility
* Narrow chassis allows access through areas inaccessible by wider tanks.
+
* 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.
+
* Max frontal armour is about 50 mm and not very sloped
* Machine gun armament is restricted to front.
+
* Turret front is rather flat sloped
* Turret traverse is rather slow, even when upgraded.
+
* Machine gun armament is restricted to front
* Cupola on the turret top is rather prominent and can be shot.
+
* Turret traverse is rather slow, even when upgraded
* Removing all ammo from turret leaves you with little in reserves.
+
* 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 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.''-->
 
===Development===
 
===Development===
By 1943, the tanks of the Imperial Japanese Army like the [[Type 95 Ha-Go]] and [[Type 97 Chi-Ha]] plus its [[Type 97 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 [[Medium Tank M4 Sherman|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">Zaloga 2007. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945''</ref><ref name="MaiChiNu">Sun 2016. ''[WT] Type3 Chi-Nu''</ref> 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 tank gun]] in models I and II<ref name="MaiChiNu"/>. The model I went onto the [[Type 3 Ho-Ni III|Type 1 Ho-Ni III]] and the model II went to the tank design.
+
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">Zaloga 2007. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945''</ref><ref name="MaiChiNu">Sun 2016. ''[WT] Type3 Chi-Nu''</ref> 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 [[Type 1 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 [[Type 5 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.
+
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.
  
 
===Combat usage===
 
===Combat usage===
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.
+
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.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''-->
 
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
 
* Sun, Eun Ae. ''[WT] Type3 Chi-Nu'' SENSHA. Blogger.com, 16 Nov. 2016. Web. 16 May. 2017. [Website http://sensha-manual.blogspot.com/2016/11/wt-type3-chi-nu.html]
 
* Sun, Eun Ae. ''[WT] Type3 Chi-Nu'' SENSHA. Blogger.com, 16 Nov. 2016. Web. 16 May. 2017. [Website http://sensha-manual.blogspot.com/2016/11/wt-type3-chi-nu.html]
 
* Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007
 
* Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007
  
 
{{Japan medium tanks}}
 
{{Japan medium tanks}}

Revision as of 18:02, 16 March 2019

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
Chi-Nu
jp_type_3_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
Msg-info.png This page is about the medium tank Chi-Nu. For the premium version, see Chi-Nu II

Description

GarageImage Chi-Nu.jpg


The Type 3 Chi-Nu is a Rank III Japanese medium tank with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai" along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces Tree.

The Type 3 Chi-Nu is arguably Japan's first good medium tank with 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 caliber size, but the Chi-Nu's 75 mm gun is powerful enough to deal with its contemporaries. Play style with this medium tank can be played just 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.

The 75 mm gun on the Chi-Nu gives this tank a major firepower boost in comparison to the previous Japanese mediums. At an average fighting distance, the 75 mm can penetrate between 80 to 90 mm of armour, meaning it can fight most of the medium tanks at its battle rating, and those tanks unable to be fought from the front can be defeated from the side.

General info

Survivability and armour

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
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 50 mm 12 mm

Notes:

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

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons)
Max speed (km/h)
18.8 N/A 43 (AB)
39 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 372 458
Realistic/Simulator 212 240
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 19.79 24.36
Realistic/Simulator 11.28 12.77

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: Type 3 (75 mm)
75 mm Type 3
Capacity Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
55 -10°/+20° ±180°
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 6.20 8.60 _.__ 18.4 _.__
Realistic 6.20 7.30 _.__ 9.8 _.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
7.80 6.90 6.4 _.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
Type 1 APHE APHE 97 93 83 71 61 51
Type 94 HE HE 11 11 11 11 11 11
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s
Projectile
Mass in kg
Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
Normalization At 30°
from horizontal:
Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
Type 1 APHE 668 6.6 1.3 15 67.84 -1° 47° 60° 65°
Type 94 HE 522 6.0 0.1 0.1 810 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Smoke characteristic
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s
Projectile
Mass in kg
Screen radius
in m
Screen time
in s
Screen hold time
in s:
Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
Type 90 Smoke 570 5.7 13 5 20 100
Ammo racks
Ammo racks on the Chi-Nu
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
55 20 (+35) (+49) (+54) No

Turret empty: 20 (+35)

Machine guns

Main article: Type 97 tank (7.7 mm)
7.7 mm Type 97
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute)
Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
1,000 (20) 499 -10°/+70° ±60°
Hull mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute)
Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
3,000 (20) 499 -7°/+10° ±19°

Usage in the battles

This tank can be played in a similar fashion to the Panzer 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 Panzer 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 F34 gun used by the T34 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 T34s 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 A22 Churchill mk. I or A22(D) Churchill 3-inch Gun Carrier. The Churchill gun carrier has a small weak spot on the front of the tank - a viewport that can penetrated and one-shot 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 one-shot.

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 meters.

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

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

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

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Zaloga 2007. Japanese Tanks 1939-1945
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Sun 2016. [WT] Type3 Chi-Nu

Read also

[Devblog] Type 3 Chi-Nu: Last Line of Defense

Sources


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