Japanese - Type 4 Ho-Ro SPG

The Japanese Type 4 Ho-Ro was a self-propelled gun (SPG) developed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II to provide mobile heavy fire support for infantry and defensive positions. Introduced around 1944, the Ho-Ro was built on the chassis of the Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank and mounted a powerful 150mm Type 38 howitzer, originally a World War I-era artillery piece, in an open-topped, lightly armored fighting compartment. Its primary role was indirect fire support, lobbing high-explosive shells against enemy fortifications, troop concentrations, and landing forces. Armor was minimal—ranging from 12mm to 25mm—offering limited protection, and the open superstructure left the crew vulnerable to air attacks and small arms fire. Only around 12 units were produced, reflecting Japan’s limited resources and the ad-hoc nature of late-war vehicle development. The Ho-Ro saw limited combat, likely only in the Philippines and during the Battle of Okinawa, where it was used in static defensive roles rather than mobile warfare. Though not produced in large numbers, the Ho-Ro was one of Japan’s few attempts to field a heavy self-propelled artillery vehicle.

Multi part resin model.

Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.