Original Item: Only One Available. Understanding your country’s own armor capabilities and armaments is one thing, to know about your enemy’s is a game changer. This poster was printed during WWII by the Government Printing Office to help civilians and the military in identifying the threat and capabilities of enemy tanks. Homefront life during wars as big of a scale as both WW1 and WW2 was terrifying, it’s important to distinguish between friend and foe. For replacements being sent to Europe and the Pacific, this poster would have been a great reference tool for them, to help them get spun up on the enemy armor and armament situation.

The poster is for the Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank. The Type 97 Chi-Ha was a medium tank used by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Battles of Khalkhin Gol against the Soviet Union, and the Second World War. It was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of World War II.

The 57 mm main gun, designed for infantry support, was a carry over from the Type 89 I-Go medium tank. The suspension was derived from the Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, but used six road wheels instead of four. The 170 hp Mitsubishi air cooled diesel engine was a capable tank engine in 1938.

The Type 97's low silhouette and semicircular radio antenna on the turret distinguished the tank from its contemporaries. After 1941, the tank was less effective than most Allied tank designs.[8] In 1942, a new version of the Chi-Ha was produced with a larger three-man turret, and a high-velocity Type 1 47 mm tank gun. It was designated the Type 97-Kai or Type 97 Shinhōtō Chi-Ha.

The poster shows essentially the weak spots, areas of interest, exposed areas and weapon positions on the tank, all marked with red to make it stand out on the silhouette. The poster itself is in wonderful condition but does have fold marks as well as curved edges from being rolled up.

A wonderful reference poster perfect for any WWII collection. Comes more than ready for further research and display.