The Chi-Ri was intended to be a heavier, more powerful version of Japan's sophisticated Type 4 Chi-To medium tank. It featured a lengthened version of the Chi-To hull, with eight bogey wheels per side instead of the Chi-To's seven. It had the usual Japanese track arrangement with forward mounted drive sprockets and rear mounted idlers. The Chi-Ri was to be powered by a German 550hp aircraft engine designed by BMW. Originally, the tank was to be armed with a 75mm main gun, but the design was eventually up-gunned to 88mm. A hull-mounted 37mm secondary gun was also planned.
A single unarmed prototype was completed by May 1945. The project was shortly thereafter abandoned to free up manpower and resources for the further development and production of the smaller and more practical Chi-To.
A single unarmed prototype was completed by May 1945. The project was shortly thereafter abandoned to free up manpower and resources for the further development and production of the smaller and more practical Chi-To.
