Japanese - Type 3 Ka-Chi Amphibious Medium Tank

The Japanese Type 3 Ka-Chi was an amphibious medium tank developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II to support island assault operations and coastal defense. Introduced in 1943, the Ka-Chi was based on an extended Type 1 Chi-He chassis and equipped with flotation pontoons at the front and rear, along with a propeller and twin rudders for water navigation. Once ashore, the pontoons could be jettisoned to improve mobility on land. It was armed with a 75mm Type 3 tank gun, mounted in a fully rotating turret, and supported by two 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns, making it the most heavily armed and armored of Japan’s amphibious tanks. Armor thickness ranged from 10mm to 50mm, providing decent protection for its class. Despite its advanced design and versatility, only around 12 to 19 units were produced due to Japan’s worsening industrial capacity and the defensive shift in its military strategy. The Ka-Chi was intended for use in amphibious assaults, but with Japan largely on the defensive by the time it was ready, it likely never saw combat. It remains one of the most ambitious and rare Japanese tank designs of the war.

Multi part resin model.

Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.