Introduced in 1937, the Type 97, Chi-Ha, was one of the best Japanese tanks of WWII, though no match for the US or British main battle tank. Drawing upon European designs, especially Axis, and despite a new suspension system, there were still no shock absorbers and the tank was a rough ride for the crew. The early Chi-Ha had a main armament of a 57mm gun and a 7.7mm secondary gun although following a 1939 clash with Russian tanks the 57mm it was later replaced with a high-velocity 47mm.