Japanese Army 37mm aircraft guns

[genkideskan]

The Ho 203 was with a length of 1,50m and a weight of 89 kg a very compact weapon.It fires the 37 x 111 R cartridge.The cage is fixed to the gun and holds an 15 shot belt. Rate of fire was 120 rd/ min.

Ho 203 is written to the cartridge case and the projectile is shorter and lighter than the original load for the Type 11 (1922) army infantry gun.

It was used in the nose of the Kawasaki Nick fighter and trials where made in Dinah rec. planes in the night fighter role. To that the Ki - 45 Nick used 2 x
20mm Ho - 5 guns firing up and forward. Big flashhiders prevent the blinding or dazzling of the pilot

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[Micdrow]

Hi genkideskan,

Little more history about the gun that I have.

In Service 1943-1945
Cartridge: 37 X 111R
Muzzle Velocity 1,890 ft per second
Effective Range 900m (2,950 ft)
Weight 89kg
Length 1.52m
Developer Japan Special Steel
Known Makers: Japan Special Steel: Kokura and Nagoya Army Arsenals.

 

[genkideskan]

Thank you Micdrow

 

[genkideskan]

Japanese Army 37mm Ho 204 aircraft gun


Annother Army 37mm gun was the Ho 204. A belt feed Browning system gun.

The gun weights about 130 Kg at a length of 2,47 meter, muzzle velocity 710m/sec and a rate of fire 400 rds/min. The design was started as an airborn anti tank gun in wing pods or in fuselage installation. The 37 x 145 cartridge was a new developement.

It was used f.e. in the Ki 46 III Dinah. I still look to find more fotos.

SUCCESS I just found a Ki 102 Randy with a Ho 204 in a nose mount

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[genkideskan]

I just have found 2 fotos of Ki 44 Tojo fighter armed with wing mounted
37mm Ho 203 guns. Normally the cage would need bulbed covers. May be the feed system was converted to magazine or belt feed.

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[genkideskan]

I must correct my post. The Ki 44 never used wing mounted 37mm Ho 203 guns.
Discussing it with T. Bradstreet and regarding to posts of T. Williams, it is fact that regarding to jpn. documents the Ho 203 gun was never used in Ki 44. The gun was too bulky and the cage is part of the feed mechanismus and cant be removed withou major modifications.

The guns pictured must be Ho 301.