Early model Type 97 Chi-Ha Japanese medium tank, of the type manufactured in the 1937-'42 period, possibly on parade, 1942-'43.  The distinctly off-centre turret with hooped radio aerial, and 57mm low velocity gun, are characteristic of this type.  In view of the inadequacies of these tanks disclosed by early clashes with US machines, later Type 97s - the Shinhoto ("New Turret") model produced from 1942 featured a larger turret, accommodating a 47mm high velocity gun.  This improved the tank's performance against armour but, overall, it remained undergunned and under-armoured by reference to its opposition.  Best regards, JR.

Japanese Type 97 tank - early model.

Type 89 I-Go medium tank supporting infantry, China 1937

Second Sino-Japanese War

Modified Type 97 Chi-Ha tank of the "Shinhoto" (New Turret) type, manufactured from 1942 to end-war. The larger turret, required to accommodate the slimmer (but higher muzzle velocity) 47mm gun is clearly apparent by contrast with the earlier type. The crew complement was 4. While this was probably the best Japanese tank of the war, it was still no match for the US or Soviet tanks that opposed it. Best regards, JR. 