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 List of firearms List of weapons of military aircraft of Germany during World War II List of common World War II infantry weapons M2 Browning machine gun
References Gunston, Bill "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Combat Aircraft of World War II" Salamander Books, Ltd. 1978 20 mm Aircraft Cannon Ho 5 (Browning Principle) Japanese Ammunition