Ho-155 cannon

The 30mm Ho-155 cannon was a Japanese aircraft autocannon used during World War II, often confused with the Ho-105 or Ho-151. A lighter and more compact Ho-155-II was designed towards the end of the war.

Specifications (Ho-155-I)

 * Caliber: 30 mm (1.2 in)
 * Ammunition: 30 x 114 (235 gm)
 * Weight: 50 kg (110 lb)
 * Rate of fire: 450 rounds/min
 * Muzzle velocity: 700 m/s (2,300 ft/s)
 * Range: 900 m

Development
The Ho-155-I was first began development in 1942 as a scaled-up and modified version of the 20mm Ho-5 cannon, itself a scaled up Model 1921 aircraft .50" Browning machine gun. In 1943/44 began development of the Ho-155-I and in late 1944 began the development and production of the Ho-155-II for fit into tighter wing bays of fighter planes such as the Ki-84, Ki-102 and on the project design of the jet powered Ki-201.

Unknown Service
Simultaneously the Ho-155-I and Ho-155-II were produced in Nagoya by the Nagoya Army Arsenal, but as the war was protracting and materials becoming scarcer it is not known how many were produced or how many actually saw service. However it became an example of ingenuity and design from the simple basic design of the Browning machine gun.