Overview
The Chi-To「チト」Prototype I was the first development of the 57mm medium tank project.
Experimental 57mm Anti-Tank Gun Kou.
In 1942, Japan began to revise their tank doctrine to a similarity of other leading nations at the time. From this was born 3 tank concepts:
| Kou (A) | Otsu (B) | Hei (C) |
|---|---|---|
| 47mm | 57mm | 75mm |
It was realised that a 47mm tank design would not be sufficient, and the Kou concept merged with Otsu.
An experimental long 57mm anti-tank cannon was the selected armament of the new medium tank. It was tested on various tanks, such as the Ho-I, which became a major role in the development of the project in particular. A new hull and chassis were designed to suit the requirements of the project. At the end of 1943 the prototype was finished, borrowing the turret design of the Ho-I guntank. It mounted an improved version of the Experimental 57mm, Experimental 57mm Kai, with superior performance. The prototype completed trials and was officially designated Chi-To in early 1944.
The Ho-I 57mm testing prototype. Though it resembles it at first glance, not the Chi-To prototype.
Shortly after, it was decided that the new Experimental 75mm cannon designed for the Hei project (progressed to Chi-Ri) would replace the 57mm for all future tank projects. The Chi-To had to be redesigned to fit this standard, and development of a revised prototype began immediately.
Variants
Chi-To Prototype I
The first development of the Chi-To medium tank, housing a 57mm tank cannon.
Chi-To Prototype II
The second Chi-To prototype. Enlarged turret to fit a 75mm tank cannon.
Chi-To Prototype III
The third Chi-To prototype, turret redesigned to be smaller and more practical.
Type4 Chi-To
The finalized, production Chi-To tank. 6 constructed in the first months of 1945.
 Land Vehicles of Imperial Japan  1919 - 1945 |
|---|
| Tracked Vehicles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Light Tanks | Tankettes | Type Kā • TB • TK • Type 92 • Type 94 • Te-Ke |
| Standard Light Tanks | Ishikawajima Type 98 • Kawasaki Type 92 • Mitsubishi Type 99 • Model Kō Tank • Model Otsu Tank • Ha-Gō • Ke-Nu • Ke-Ni (Kai) • Ke-To • Ke-Ri • Ke-Ru • Ke-Ho | |
| Railroad Tanks | Type95 So-Ki | |
| Medium Tanks | Standard Medium Tanks | No. 1 • (Revised) • I-Gō (Kō • Otsu) • Chi-Ni • Chi-Ha (Kai) • Chi-Ho • Chi-He • Chi-Nu (Kai) • Chi-To Prototype I • Chi-To Prototype II • Experimental Type5 Medium Tank 'Chi-Ri' • Chi-Se |
| Medium Command Tanks | Type 97 Shi-Ki | |
| Heavy Tanks | Standard Heavy Tanks | Aichi-96 • Ishi-108 • Ju-Ni • Mitsu-97 • Mitsu-104 • Type 91 Heavy Tank • Type 95 Ro-Gō • Type 96 Ju-I • Type 97 Ju-Ro • Type 97 Ju-Ha |
| Super Heavy Tanks | O-I • Mi-To | |
| Amphibious Tanks | Standard Amphibious Tanks | Kawasaki Type 94 • SR Amphib • SR-I • SR-II • SR-III |
| Special Motor Launches | Type2 Ka-Mi • Type3 Ka-Chi • Type4 Ka-Tsu • Type5 To-Ku | |
| Self-Propelled Guns | Tank Destroyers | Type1 Ho-Ni I • Type1 Ho-Ni II • Type3 Ho-Ni III • Experimental Type5 Gun Tank 'Ho-Ri' • Experimental Type5 47mm Self-Propelled Gun 'Ho-Ru' • Type5 Na-To • Type5 Na-To II • 'Ji-Ro' |
| Self-Propelled Gun / Assault Gun | So-To • 12cm Short Gun • 12cm Long Gun • Ho-I • Ka-To • Ho-Ro • Ha-To • Ho-Chi | |
| Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | Ki-To • Ta-Se • So-Ki • Ta-Ha | |
| Miscellaneous | Amphibious Transport | FB Swamp Vehicle |
| Remote-Controlled Explosives | Type98 Miniature Engineer Otsu | |
| Transport & Towing | Chi-Ke Tractor • Holt 30 • Komatsu 3 ton Tractor • Type92 I-Ke • Type92 Ni-Ku • Type94 Yo-Ke • Type95 Ho-Fu • Type98 Six Ton Prime Mover • T-G Crawler Truck • Type98 Ro-Ke • Type98 Shi-Ke • Type98 So-Da • Type 1 Ho-Ki | |
| Misc | Brasso-Ki • So-Ra • Type94 Disinfecting Vehicle • Type94 Gas Scattering Vehicle • Type 95 Ri-Ki • Type 97 Ho-K • Type97 Cable Layer • Type97 Pole Planter • Type 97 Chi-Yiu • Type 96 Se-Ri • Type 1 AOV • S-K Trench Excavator • Sōkō Sagyō Ki • Chō Gō Ki TG • Type100 Te-Re | |
| Half-Track Vehicles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Combat | Amphibious Offensive | Chenilette St-Chamond M1921 • Inoma-Kaminishi • Sumida AMP |
| Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | Type 98 Ho-Ki SPAAG | |
| Utility | Transport & Towing | Type95 Kurogane • Type98 Ho-Ki Prime Mover • Type1 Ho-Ha |
| Amphibious Transport & Towing | Ishikawan Jime | |
| Wheeled Vehicles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Combat | Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun | Type98 Ta-Se (truck) |
| Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun | Nissan 80 | |
| Armoured / Scout / Patrol Cars | Austin Model 1918 • British Crossley Mk I • Type92 Osaka • Type87 Armoured Car • Type3 Sumida • Type92 Chiyoda • Type92 Chokei Sensha • Type92 Kokusan | |
| Utility | Transport & Towing | Nissan 180 • Nissan Model 97 • Toyota KB • Toyota KC • Type94 Truck • Type97 Truck • Type1 Truck • Type2 Truck |
| Staff Cars | Nissan 70 • Toyota Syoki • Type92 Chiyoda • Model93 Staff Car • Model95 Kurogane • Nissan Model97 Staff Car • Type98 Staff Car | |
| Amphibious Transport & Towing | Su-Ki Amphibious Truck | |
| Motocycles | Model 97 Kurogane • Sanrinsha | |