Ho-Ni I, II, III:

Use Type 97 CHI-HA tank chassis.

Ho-Ni I:

Japan's Ho-Ni I

75 mm anti tank gun. Developed in 1942.

The 75 mm gun fired a 14 lb round at a muzzle velocity of 2,260 '/sec to a maximum range of 13,000 yards.3

Ho-Ni II:

105 mm howitzer.

Ho-Ni III:

Japan's Ho-Ni III

75 mm Type 88 anti tank gun. Slightly better armor protection on top and rear of gunshield.

Type 38 (Type 42) Ho-Ro:

Type 97 Medium and Type 4 Self Propelled Gun
Japan's Type 97 Medium Tank and Type 4 Self Propelled Gun

Japan's Ho-Ro Self Propelled Gun
Aberdeen Tank Museum

Japan's Type 38 Ho-Ro

Used CHI-HA chassis without turret and a shield around front and sides of gun. Gun had range of 6,500 yards and fired a 79 lb shell.3 It was based on a Krupp design. Was organized in 4 vehicle batteries.

  Ho-Ni I Ho-Ni II Ho-Ni III Type 38 HO-RO
/Type 4 HO-RO1
Crew 33 5 5 4 or 51, 53
Physical Characteristics        
Weight 32,704 lb
14.6 tons, 14.7 tons2, 15 tons3
36,064 lb
16.1 tons
36,064 lb
16.1 tons
29,982 lb1, 33,600 lb
13,600 kg1
15 tons3, 15.5 tons2
Length w/gun 18.2'3
I5.55 m2
    18', 18.2'3, 18' 2"1
5.52 m2, 5.537 m1
Length w/o gun        
Height 7.7'3
2.39 m2
    7.6'3, 7' 9"
2.36 m2
To top of Shield: 5' 1"1, 1.549 m1
Width 7.7'3
2.33 m2
    7' 6"1, 7.6'3, 7' 8.5"
2.286 m1, 2.33 m2
Width over tracks        
Ground clearance 14"3     14"3
Ground contact length 138"3     144"3
Ground pressure 8.4 psi3     8 psi3
Turret ring diameter        
Armament        
Main 75 mm Type 902,3 105 mm Type 91 field howitzer2 75 mm Type 88 antiaircraft 150 mm Type 38 howitzer1,2
150 mm Type 38 howitzer, L/123
Secondary        
MG        
Side arms        
Quantity        
Main 542 202   282
Secondary        
MG        
Side arms        
Armor Thickness (mm) Front: 0.98"3, 502
Side: 0.8"3, 252
    Front: 0.63"3, 252
Side: 0.5"3, 202
Hull Front, Upper       25
Hull Front, Lower        
Hull Sides, Upper        
Hull Sides, Lower        
Hull Rear        
Hull Top        
Hull Bottom        
Superstructure Front 2"3     1"3
Superstructure Sides       0.63"3
Superstructure Rear        
Superstructure Top        
Engine (Make / Model) Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Mitsubishi  
Bore / stroke        
Cooling Air3     Air3
Cylinders V-123 12 12 V-121,3
Capacity        
Net HP 1702,3     1701,2,3
Power to weight ratio        
Compression ratio 17.8:13     17.8:13
Transmission (Type) Sliding pinion with high-low trasfer case3
4 forward, 1 reverse3
    Sliding pinion with high-low trasfer case3
4 forward, 1 reverse3
Steering Clutch brake3     Clutch brake3
Steering ratio        
Starter Electric3     Electric3
Electrical System Starting: 24-volt3
Running: 12-volt3
    Starting: 24-volt3
Running: 12-volt3
Ignition        
Fuel (Type) Diesel3 Diesel Diesel Diesel1,3
Octane        
Quantity 52 gallons in 2 tanks3     52 gallons in 2 tanks3
Road consumption 3.7 gallons/hour @ 9.3 mph3     3.7 gallons/hour @ 9.3 mph3
Cross country consumption        
Performance        
Traverse 10° left, 10° right2, 20°3 20° 20° 3° left, 3° right.2, 30°3
Max speed 25 mph3
38 kph2
25 mph 25 mph 23.6 mph1, 24 mph, 25 mph3
38 kph1,2
Cross country speed        
Road radius 130 miles3, 131 miles 131 miles 131 miles 100 miles3
Cross country radius        
Turning radius        
Elevation limits -5° to +25°3 -5° to +20° -5° to +20° -10° to +20°2
Fording depth 39"3     39"3
Trench crossing 8.25'3     8.25'3
Vertical obstacle        
Climbing ability 30° (57%) slope3     30° (57%) slope3
Suspension (Type) Front and rear wheels independently sprung, center wheels sprung in pairs, coil springs3     Front and rear wheels independently sprung, center wheels sprung in pairs, coil springs3
Wheels each side 63     63
Return rollers each side 33     33
Tracks (Type) Dry pin3     Dry pin3
Length        
Width 13"3     13"3
Diameter        
Number of links 953     953
Pitch 4.9"3     4.9"3
Tire tread        
Track centers/tread 6.6'3     6.6'3
Production 124      

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  2. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  3. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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