Bandai
According to current knowledge, the Type 5 Chi-Ri was only completed as a prototype in May 1945.
It was intended to be the ultimate medium tank of the Imperial Japanese Army, capable of engaging the US Army's M4 Sherman medium tanks. The tank was to be equipped with a 75 mm Type 5 tank gun, the same type used in the Chi-To tank at the time. However, the prototype that was found was equipped with an 88 mm Type 99 anti-aircraft gun as its main armament and a 37 mm Type 1 tank gun instead of the forward-facing machine gun. The main armament of the prototype Chi-Ri didn't even have a type designation in the Imperial Japanese Army's classification system, making this tank a particularly interesting piece of engineering. Another interesting aspect of the Type 5 is that it was originally intended to be powered by a Mitsubishi diesel engine. However, due to supply shortages, a Kawasaki Ha-9 aircraft engine (based on the BMW VI engine) was used.
This allowed the Chi-Ri prototype to run on aviation fuel (engine power was reduced from the original 800 hp to 550 hp).
Plastic model kit
- with photo-etched parts
Scale 1:35
unbuilt / unpainted
Paint and glue not included
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