The vehicle was driven by an in-house Mitsubishi SA12200VD diesel-fueled, air-cooled unit which offered up better range and more stability than the gasoline-powered counterparts used by the Allies (much less prone to catching fire as well).
Performance resulted in a maximum road speed of 24 miles per hour with an operational range out to 130 miles. The vehicle was suspended atop a Bell crank suspension system. The running gear was made up of six double-tired road wheels to a hull side. The drive sprocket was held at the bow with the track idler at the rear. Three track return rollers were featured. The engine sat at the rear of the hull with the crew compartment fitted forward.
The Type 97 Chi-Ha appeared in a few more variants that consisted of standard battlefield products such as an Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV), Self-Propelled Gun (SPG) and Command Tank - all utilizing the chassis of the original combat tank. The Type 97 would later be superseded by the Type 1 Chi-He combat tank which was of a heftier "medium" classification.
Production of the Type 97 peaked in 1941 with 507 units produced. Just 28 were made in 1942.
The Shinhoto offshoot managed a production total of 930 units with 503 completed in 1942 and a further 427 in 1943.
1943 marked the last year of the Type 97's production run in either form as the focus moved to the Type 1 Chi-he (detailed elsewhere on this site).
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