Ho-3 cannon

Ho-3 cannon
Two dismounted Ho-3 cannons without the drum magazines. Note the ammunition belt.
Type	Aircraft autocannon
Place of origin	Empire of Japan
Service history
Used by	Imperial Japanese Army Air Service Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Wars	World War II
Specifications
Mass	45 kg (99 lb)
Length	1,749 mm (68.9 in)
Barrel length	1,194 mm (47.0 in)
Cartridge	20x125mm (127)
Calibre	20 mm (0.79 in)
Action	Short recoil-operated
Rate of fire	300-400 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	820 m/s (2,700 ft/s)
Feed system	50-round drum magazine

Ho-3 was a Japanese autocannon used during World War II. It was a drum-fed improvement of the magazine-fed Ho-1 cannon, itself derived from the Type 97 antitank rifle. It was used by the Kawasaki Ki-45KAIc heavy fighter of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force.[1]

Specifications

• Caliber: 20 mm (0.8 in)
• Ammunition: 20 x 125 (164 g)
• Weight: 43 kg (95 lb)
• Rate of fire: 300-400 rounds/min
• Muzzle velocity: 820 m/s (2,690 ft/s)

Citations

1. Gustin & Williams, p. 183

Bibliography

• Gustin, Emmanuel; Williams, Anthony G. (2003). Flying Guns: The Development of Aircraft Guns, Ammunition and Installations 1933–1945. Marlborough, UK: Airlife. ISBN 978-1-84037-227-4.