The Model 97 Special Medium Tank was first placed in operation in the early spring of 1942. It is a modification of the Model 2597 Medium Tank (see page 9) with a modified turret to accommodate the 47 mm Model 1 (1941) tank gun instead of the normal short-barreled 57 mm gun.
The 47 mm tank gun conforms to the 47 mm Model 1 (1941) antitank gun (page 106) in the dimensions of chamber, caliber, and rifling and its performance is similar. The tank gun, however, has a vertical sliding breechblock, while the antitank gun has the horizontal type. The tank gun has a total traverse of 22° with an elevation from -11° to +17°. It is shoulder-controlled, with geared elevation and depression. However, free movement can be obtained, if desired. Penetration tests on the antitank gun indicate a penetration of 2 1/2 inches of homogeneous plate at normal at a range of 1,050 yards.
The Special Tank is readily recognized by its elongated turret, slightly offset to the right. This turret measures six feet from front to rear and three feet across the rear bulge. There is a door 19″ x 16″ in the turret back plate, an exit hatch 23″ x 16″ in the turret top plate, and an observation hatch 25″ in diameter in the cupola with a vision port 4″ in diameter in the cupola top plate. The gun mantlet of 30 mm thickness, sloped at 10° to the vertical, is bolted to the turret front. A 7.7 mm Model 97 L.M.G. is mounted at the turret rear. Another is mounted in the superstructure front plate at the left of the driver.
The armor plate thickness of the Special Tank is essentially the same as that of its predecessor except that the hull side plates of the former have been increased in thickness to 35 mm.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight (approx.) | 15 tons | |
| Length | 18 ft., 1 in. | |
| Width | 7 ft., 8 ins. | |
| Height | 7 ft., 11 ins. | |
| Ground clearance | 14 ins. | |
| Tread centers | 6 ft., 7 ins. | |
| Ground contact | 11 ft., 7 ins. | |
| Width of track | 13 ins. | |
| Pitch of track | 4 3/4 ins. | |
| Track links | 96 | |
| Fording depth | 3 ft., 3 ins. | |
| Theoretical radius of action | ||
| Roads | 100 miles | |
| Cross country | ||
| Armor | ||
| Turret front | 25 mm at 10° to vertical | |
| Gun mantlet | 30 mm cast at 10° to vertical | |
| Front vertical plate | 25 mm at 10° to vertical | |
| Glacis plate | 17 mm at 80° to vertical | |
| Nose plate | 15 mm at 62° to vertical | |
| Side superstructure | 20 mm at 40° to vertical | |
| Side hull plates | 35 mm | |
| Top rear plate | 12 mm | |
| Armament | One 47 mm model 1 (194) tank gun; two type 97 light machine guns. | |
| Ammunition (Rds.) | 104 rounds of 47 mm ammunition; 2,575 rounds of small arms ammunition. | |
| Engine | Air-cooled, V-12 diesel. | |
| Transmission | Main gear box—4 speeds forward, 1 reverse—high and low ratios. | |
| Steering | Clutch brake | |
| Crew | 5 |
Japanese: p. 8.1 (August 1, 1945)