The Ho-5 (Army Type 2) was a Japanese aircraft autocannon used during World War II. Developed from the Ho-103 machine gun, it was a version of the American Model 1921 Browning aircraft machine gun. It replaced the Ho-1 and Ho-3 (Army Type 97) in general service. The Ho-5 was belt-fed using typical Browning-style steel disintegrating links. The cartridge used was a shortened version of the Allied 20 × 110mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404.

The Ho-5 was used mostly as wing mounts in late-war fighters but saw limited cowl-mounted use in fighters and as flexible-mounted defensive armament (retrofit) in bombers.

Specifications

  • Caliber: 20mm (0.8 in)
  • Ammunition: 20×94mm (84.5 g)
  • Weight: 37 kg (77 lb)
  • Rate of fire: 750 rounds/min
  • Muzzle velocity: 750 m/s (2,460 ft/s)
  • Magazine: 150-round belt

See also

  • Gunston, Bill "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Combat Aircraft of World War II" Salamander Books, Ltd. 1978 ISBN 0-89673-000-X
  • 2011-05-25 at the Wayback Machine