Japanese Type 4 Ho-Ro self-propelled gun

Bolt Action: Japanese Type 4 Ho-Ro self-propelled gun

Inspired by German self-propelled guns, the Type 4 Ho-Ro assault gun was based on a reinforced Type 97 Chi-Ha tank chassis. The Type 4 Ho-Ro mounted the Type 38 150mm howitzer. The front of the howitzer was 25mm armored - the open rear left the crew vulnerable to close combat and shrapnel.
The 150mm gun primarily fired Type 88 APHE (armour-piercing high-explosive) ammunition, although it could also fire HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank) ammunition. Ammunition was stored in a container on the rear engine deck.

Commissioned towards the end of World War II, the Ho-Ro was deployed in batteries of four vehicles. It was used during the Philippine campaign and during the American attack on Okinawa.

The Japanese did not produce their own tanks until 1929, and the first examples were versions of contemporary British and French models from Vickers, Renault, and Carden-Lloyd. Experience in Manchuria led the Japanese to take Russian armaments as a model.
However, heavy armor played a subordinate role in Japan's military strategy, and when their armies were forced to confront modern enemy tanks, it was already too late. The available tanks were lightly armored and poorly armed compared to those used by the Allies.

This kit contains:
- 1 x Type 4 Ho-Ro assault gun - with detailed Japanese artillery crew made of plastic, resin and metal
- Bolt Action Stat Card
- Damage marker