Type 1 Ho-Ni I / II / Type 3 Ho-Ni III

Tank Destroyer / Self-Propelled Gun (SPG)

Imperial Japan | 1942

"The Type 97 Medium Tank formed the basis for the Type 1 Ho-Ni Tank Destroyer and its related vehicles."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/04/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Japanese tank engineering always lacked behind the Allies during World War 2 (1939-1945) and only a few notable designs emerged from the fighting. As with other world powers of the time, the nation also invested, although a little too late, in the concept of the dedicated tank destroyer. One example of this became the Type 1 "Ho-Ni" which appeared in two other related battlefield forms, the Type 1 "Ho-Ni II" and the Type 3 "Ho-Ni III". It was built atop the existing running gear and chassis of the Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium Tank.

The Type 97 emerged in 1938 prior to the war and, by classification, was a medium tank. However, compared to its contemporaries, it held qualities more closely associated with the light tank concept. At its introduction, the Type 97 did prove on par with Western offerings but, by 1942, it was severely outclassed though production was allowed to continue for lack of anything better.

To extend the usefulness of the Type 97 chassis as well as fulfill a Japanese Army need for a tank destroyer, engineers reclaimed the powerpack and chassis of the medium tank and removed the turret structure. In the turret's place was installed a 75mm Type 90 field gun in a fixed, open-air structure (only the front and sides of the enclosure were protected from the elements and battlefield dangers). A fixed superstructure saved on weight and provided the necessary workspace for the gunnery crew but restricted traversal and elevation of the gun unit. In essence the entire tank would have to be turned towards the intended field of fire. Fifty-four 75mm projectiles were carried aboard and the operating crew numbered five. Beyond the main gun there was now defensive armament fitted save anything personal carried by the crew.

The result design became the Type Ho-Ni I which appeared in limited numbers during 1942.

The 15.4 ton vehicle showcased a length of 5.9 meters, a width of 2.3 meters and a height of 2.4 meters - it held a relatively tall profile. Armor protection ranged from 25mm to 51mm and power was served through a Mitsubishi SA12200VD series V12 air-cooled diesel engine which propelled the vehicle to speeds of 24 miles per hour and ranges out to 120 miles. The hull sat atop a bell-crank suspension system.

The Type 1 Ho-Ni was used operational for the first time in the Battle of Luzon (Philippines Campaign) during early/mid-1944. Organized forces lacked the numbers to affect the outcome of the battle positively and results of the vehicles themselves were mixed. Only twenty-six first-series vehicles were produced.

The Type 1 Ho-Ni II was another Type 97 tank development but this vehicle emerged more as a self-propelled gun platform fitting the 105mm Type 91 howitzer instead of tank-killing armament. This was set within a slightly revised armored superstructure and intended as a fire support vehicle.

A more closely related development of the Type 1 Ho-Ni I became the Type 3 Ho-Ni III which now fitted the more-powerful 75mm Type 3 anti-tank gun in a fully-enclosed armored hull superstructure to protect the gunnery crew.

With its lackluster field performance, the vehicles were retained for homeland defense before the end of the war which came in August of 1945. Total production numbered just 111 of these make-shift gun carriers.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Type 1 Ho-Ni Tank Destroyer / Self-Propelled Gun (SPG).

1 x Mitsubishi SA12200VD V12 air-cooled engine developing 170 horsepower.
Installed Power

24 mph
38 kph
Road Speed

124 miles
200 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the Type 1 Ho-Ni Tank Destroyer / Self-Propelled Gun (SPG).

5
(MANNED)
Crew

19.4 ft
5.9 meters
O/A Length

7.5 ft
2.3 meters
O/A Width

7.9 ft
2.4 meters
O/A Height

30,865 lb
14,000 kg | 15.4 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Type 1 Ho-Ni I / II / Type 3 Ho-Ni III Tank Destroyer / Self-Propelled Gun (SPG).

Type 1 Ho-Ni I:
1 x 75mm Type 90 field gun

Type 1 Ho-Ni II:
1 x 105mm Type 91 field howitzer

Type 3 Ho-Ni III:
1 x 75mm Type 3 anti-tank gun

AMMUNITION:
54 x 75mm projectiles

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
Nightvision - NONE
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Protection (CBRN) - NONE

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Type 1 Ho-Ni I / II / Type 3 Ho-Ni III family line.

Type 1 Ho-Ni I - Tank destroyer; 75mm Tyep 90 field gun in open-air superstructure.

Type 1 Ho-Ni II - Self-Propelled Artillery platform; 105mm Type 91 howitzer armament in open-air superstructure.

Type 3 Ho-Ni III - Tank destroyer; 75mm Type 3 AT gun in fully-enclosed superstructure.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Type 1 Ho-Ni I / II / Type 3 Ho-Ni III. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 111 Units
Contractor(s): State Factories - Imperial Japan

[ Imperial Japan ]

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Image of the Type 1 Ho-Ni I / II / Type 3 Ho-Ni III

Image from the Public Domain.

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Image from the Public Domain.

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Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to battlefield requirements.

FIRE SUPPORT / ASSAULT / BREACHING

TANK-vs-TANK

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Going Further...
The Type 1 Ho-Ni I / II / Type 3 Ho-Ni III Tank Destroyer / Self-Propelled Gun (SPG) appears in the following collections:

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