Difference between revisions of "Ho-Ro"

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{{Specs-Card
+
{{Specs-Card|code=jp_type_4_ho_ro}}
|code=jp_type_4_ho_ro
 
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 
}}
 
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
+
<!--''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.''-->
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' ({{Annotation|四式十五糎自走砲「ホロ」|Yon Shiki Jūgo Senchi Jisōhō "Ho-Ro"}}) is an open-topped self-propelled gun with a short-barreled 150 mm howitzer, based on the [[Chi-Ha]]. Being pressed instantly into service on its creation, a dozen or so were shipped to the Philippines together with the newly formed 1st Self-Propelled Artillery Company. While it did see combat with several confirmed Sherman destructions, it was effectively used in close-quarter combat rather than as an artillery piece, firing at Shermans at 100-200 m range in smokey and low visibility scenarios, and repositioning on each shot. Arriving in Dec 1944, the last Ho-Ro squad served until knocked out in Mar 1945 with the remainder of the company fighting until the end in the mountains as regular infantry.
+
[[File:GarageImage_Type4Ho-Ro.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]] along with the rest of the Japanese Ground Forces Tree. The vehicle, known by its full designation as the ''Imperial Japanese Army Type 4 15cm self-propelled gun Ho-Ro'' (Original Text: 日本語: 四式十五糎自走砲 ホロ), is an open-topped SPG with a short-barreled 150 mm howitzer, based on the [[Chi-Ha| Chi Ha]] chassis and running gear.  
  
Since its introduction in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]], the Ho-Ro has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful howitzer-equipped SPGs in the game despite its low battle-rating, right up there with the beloved [[KV-2 (Family)|KV-2]]. It is capable of destroying or severely disabling any opponent it meets (or more often ambushes), even against top-tier vehicles, mainly due to its extremely effective high-explosive shell. This is balanced, however, by the shell's low velocity, forcing the player to lob the shell in an arc at their opponent even for a short distance, and the vehicle's light armour and limited gun traverse compared to other SPGs.
+
The name "Ho-Ro" translates roughly to ''Gun Two'', or more properly, ''Self Propelled Gun Number 2''.<ref name="FTRecordJapaneseNames">Silentstalker. "Japanese Tank Nomenclature." For the Record. WordPress, 06 Dec. 2013. Web. 15 Jan. 2017. [http://ftr.wot-news.com/2013/12/06/japanese-tank-nomenclature/ Website]</ref>
 +
 
 +
Since its introduction into War Thunder, the Ho-Ro has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful howitzer-equipped SPGs in the game despite its reserve battle-rating, right up there with the beloved [[KV-2 (Disambiguation)|KV-2]]. It is capable of destroying or severely disabling any opponent it meets (or more often ambushes), even against vehicles in Rank V. This is mainly due to its extremely effective High-Explosive shell, however this is balanced by the shell's low velocity, in which the player must literally lob the shell in a arc at their opponent even for a short distance, and the vehicle's generally light armour and limited gun traverse compared to other SPGs.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
+
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?''
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
+
 
 +
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
  
Line 32: Line 34:
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.''-->
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
+
|-
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=241|rbMinHp=150}}
+
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 
+
|-
=== Modifications and economy ===
+
! Weight (tons)
{{Specs-Economy}}
+
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 +
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | 14.8 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 43 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|40 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|241
 +
|297
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|150
 +
|170
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|16.28
 +
|20.07
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|10.13
 +
|11.49
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
+
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
 
{{main|Type 38 (150 mm)}}
 
{{main|Type 38 (150 mm)}}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[Type 38 (150 mm)|150 mm Type 38]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 28 || -10°/+20° || ±5° || Vertical
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 38 (150 mm)|150 mm Type 38]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
| ''Arcade'' || 3.60 || 4.90 || 6.00 || 9.8 || _.__
 
|-
 
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
+
| ''Realistic'' || 3.60 || 4.20 || 5.10 || 5.6 || _.__
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
 
|-
 
|-
! ''Arcade''
+
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
| rowspan="2" | 24 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±5° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 5.3 || 7.3 || 8.9 || 9.8 || 10.4 || rowspan="2" | 17.29 || rowspan="2" | 15.30 || rowspan="2" | 14.10 || rowspan="2" | 13.30
 
 
|-
 
|-
! ''Realistic''
+
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
| 3.6 || 4.2 || 5.1 || 5.6 || 6.0
+
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 26.00 || 23.00 || 21.2 || __.__
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
==== Ammunition ====
+
===== Ammunition =====
{{:Type 38 (150 mm)/Ammunition|Type 95 APHE, Type 92 HE}}
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| Type 95 APHE || APHE || 63 || 61 || 52 || 43 || 36 || 30
 +
|-
 +
| Type 92 HE || HE || 55 || 55 || 55 || 55 || 55 || 55
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Type 95 APHE || APHE || 290 || 36 || 1.3 || 15 || 2,600 || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
| Type 92 HE || HE || 290 || 36 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 7,020 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
+
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
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[[File:Ammoracks_Type4Ho-Ro.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the Ho-Ro]]
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.27.2.51''' -->
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
 
|-
 
|-
! Full<br>ammo
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
! Ammo<br>part
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Ammo<br />Part
! 1st<br>rack empty
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty
! 2nd<br>rack empty
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
! 3rd<br>rack empty
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br /> rack empty
! Visual<br>discrepancy
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
| '''24''' || ''Projectiles''<br>''Propellants'' || 17&nbsp;''(+7)''<br>1&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+15)''<br>N/A || 1&nbsp;''(+23)''<br>N/A || No
+
|| '''28''' || style="text-align:right" | ''Projectiles''<br />''Propellants'' || 22&nbsp;''(+6)''<br />22&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 14&nbsp;''(+14)''<br />14&nbsp;''(+14)'' ||10 &nbsp;''(+18)''<br />10&nbsp;''(+18)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+27)''<br />1&nbsp;''(+27)'' || style="text-align:left" | No  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
'''Notes''':
 
 
* The {{PAGENAME}} uses two-piece ammunition, composed of propellant bags (orange) and projectiles (yellow). Both have separate racks.
 
* Both projectiles and propellant bags are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
 
{{Clear}}
 
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
+
<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
+
{{main|Type 97 tank (7.7 mm)}}
{{main|Type 97 (7.7 mm)}}
 
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[Type 97 tank (7.7 mm)|7.7 mm Type 97]]
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 97 (7.7 mm)|7.7 mm Type 97]]
+
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
 
|-
 
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
+
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
|-
 
|-
| Pintle || 3,000 (20) || 499 || -10°/+60° || ±60°
+
| colspan="4" | 3,000 (20) || 499 || -10°/+60° || ±60°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
+
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
The Ho-Ro is a fairly manoeuvrable SPG, and like many other open-topped vehicles, this is not one that should charge into the front-lines. Just like many of the other low-rank Japanese vehicles, it has no real armour protection from anything more than rifle-calibre MGs, and its ammo storage is literally a box mounted on top of the engine deck. The crew is very exposed, and the gun breech is mounted rather high on the chassis and can be easily knocked out. With this knowledge in mind, the Ho-Ro is best played by staying in the rear (but not distantly) of friendly tanks for short-range or point-blank artillery fire, along with finding hidden positions where it can attempt to be hull-down out of sight of the enemy.
+
The Ho-Ro a is fairly manoeuvrable SPG, and like many other open-topped vehicles, this is not one that should charge into the front-lines. Just like many of the other low-rank Japanese vehicles, it has no real armour protection from anything more than rifle-calibre MGs, and its ammo storage is literally a box mounted on top of the engine deck. The crew is very exposed, and the gun breech is mounted rather high on the chassis and can be easily knocked out. With this knowledge in mind, the Ho-Ro is best played by staying in the rear (but not distantly) of friendly tanks as short-range or point-blank artillery fire, along with finding hidden positions where it can attempt to be hull-down out of sight of the enemy.
  
Due to its low-velocity shell, the gun often needs to be aimed higher than the commander estimates when performing direct fire onto a target, but this also allows the vehicle to lob shells from behind shallow hills, out of the sight from opponents that may be camping or pushing into friendly territory on the other side. However, because its HE shell is so powerful, it is extremely risky to fire directly next to or very close to an enemy vehicle, as the light armour may not protect the crew, and the blast from the explosion it will certainly deal damage to the vehicle itself. The gun, while powerful, cannot traverse very far to either side, so to fire on tanks that are outside the arc of the gun's horizontal traverse, the entire hull must be traversed as well. The recoil of the gun is also an issue, as it throws the vehicle backwards rather severely, which means it loses target acquisition every time it fires.
+
Due to its low-velocity shell, the gun often needs to be aimed higher than the commander estimates when performing direct-fire onto a target, but this also allows the vehicle to lob shells from behind shallow hills, out of the sight from opponents that may be camping or pushing into friendly territory on the other side. Note however that because its HE shell is so powerful, it is '''''extremely risky to fire directly next to or very close to an enemy vehicle''''', as the light armour may not protect the crew, and the blast from the shell's explosion it will certainly deal damage to the vehicle itself. The gun, while powerful, cannot traverse very far to either side and its depression is actually depressing (-5°), so in order to fire on tanks that are outside of the arc of the gun's horizontal traverse or down a hillside, the entire hull must be traversed as well. The recoil of the gun is also an issue, as it throws the vehicle backwards rather severely (just like the M-56 Scorpion), which means it loses target acquisition every time it fires.
  
One interesting note is the pintle-mounted MG on the roof, which has good elevation and a much wider range of horizontal fire than the main gun, which can be useful on spotting enemy tanks for teammates or dealing with [[:Category:Anti-aircraft_vehicles|SPAA]]s that have exposed crew members. However, it has a slower rate of fire than most other rifle-calibre MGs and its magazine capacity is pitiful. In conclusion, the Ho-Ro is a very defensive vehicle suited to supporting friendly tanks and ambushing the enemy on paths where they may attempt to flank around the map.
+
One interesting note is the pintle-mounted MG on the roof, which has good elevation and a much wider range of horizontal fire than the main gun, which can be useful on spotting enemy tanks for team-mates or dealing with [[:Category:Anti-aircraft_vehicles|SPAA]]s that have exposed gun-crews. However, it has a slower rate of fire than most other rifle-calibre MGs and its magazine capacity is pitiful. In conclusion, the Ho-Ro is a very defensive vehicle suited to supporting friendly tanks and ambushing the enemy on paths where they may attempt to flank around the map.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''-->
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* 150 mm howitzer makes it an intimidating foe
+
*150 mm howitzer makes it an intimidating foe, largest calibre gun in Rank I
* The howitzer's high trajectory makes it able to fire over hills
+
*Howitzer's round trajectory makes it able to fire over hills
* Large TNT filler in its HE shell
+
*More TNT in its HE shells than the KV-2 (OF-530 HE shell has 6.86kg of TNT, compared to 7.2kg of TNT in the Type 92 HE shell)
* HE load can cause sufficient splash and shrapnel damage even if the shell doesn't directly hit the target
+
*HE load can cause sufficient splash and shrapnel damage even if the shell doesn't directly hit the target
* Can destroy most, if not all, vehicles by shooting HE just under an enemy tank and hitting the thin belly armour
+
*Can destroy most, if not all, vehicles by shooting HE just under an enemy tank and hitting the thin belly armour
* Can deter inattentive flak trucks or any vehicles with open and exposed crew with its roof-mounted MG
+
*Can deter inattentive flak trucks or any vehicles with open and exposed crew with its roof-mounted MG
* Quick, manoeuvrable in both AB and RB, though slightly sluggish to put into gear in the latter
+
*Quick, manoeuvrable in both AB and RB, though slightly sluggish to put into gear in the latter
* Good gun depression
+
*Good 10 degrees of gun depression
* HE Shell will destroy any vehicle you come up against
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
Line 137: Line 230:
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
+
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''-->
  
The Type 4 Ho-Ro was a Self Propelled Gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, based off the German Grille series. It was developed off the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis and used a 150 mm Krupp gun, considered outdated by 1942. It was used to combat American forces. Only a few were made, and out of those few, 8 were sunk with a Japanese ship somewhere in the Pacific. Usually deployed in groups of 4, it was used in the Philippines during late 1944 and then used in ones and twos on Okinawa, to a somewhat great effect. It was ineffective due to its 3 degrees of gun swing and 30 degrees of depression because of the gun mount's design. That gave it a small firing distance of 6,000 m. It also could only fire 5 shells per minute because of the breech-loader.
+
The Type 4 Ho-Ro was a Self Propelled Gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army based off of the German Grille series. It was developed off the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis and used a 150-millimetre Kruppe gun, considered outdated by 1942. It was used to combat American forces. Only few were made, and out of those few 8 were sunk with a Japanese ship somewhere in the Pacific. Usually deployed in groups of 4, it was used in the Philippines during late 1944 and then used in ones and twos on Okinawa, with a somewhat great affect. It was ineffective due to its 3 degrees of gun swing and 30 degrees of depression because of the gun mounts design. That gave it a small firing distance of 6,000 meters. It also could only fire 5 shells per minute because of the breechloader.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
+
<!--''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''-->
 +
Skin and Camouflages for the [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=japan&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=tank_destroyer&vehicle=jp_type_4_ho_ro Ho-Ro] in Warthunder Live.
  
;Skins
+
==References==
 
+
<references />
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=jp_type_4_ho_ro Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
 
 
;Videos
 
{{Youtube-gallery|_xCgMBOiA8U|'''High-explosive power''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 5:23 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
Line 158: Line 248:
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.'' -->
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 +
* ''other literature.''-->
  
* [[Wikipedia:Type_4_Ho-Ro|[Wikipedia] Type 4 Ho-Ro]]
+
* [[Wikipedia:Type_4_Ho-Ro|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> Type 4 Ho-Ro]]
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/japan/type-4-ho-ro/ <nowiki>[Tank Encyclopedia] Type 4 Ho-Ro</nowiki>]
 
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.php?armor_id=403 <nowiki>[Military Factory] Type 4 Ho-Ro</nowiki>]
 
 
 
=== References ===
 
<references />
 
  
{{TankManufacturer Mitsubishi}}
 
 
{{Japan tank destroyers}}
 
{{Japan tank destroyers}}

Revision as of 23:03, 18 October 2019

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
Ho-Ro
jp_type_4_ho_ro.png
Ho-Ro
AB RB SB
1.3 1.3 1.3
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Ho-Ro.jpg


The Type 4 Ho-Ro is a rank I Japanese tank destroyer with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai" along with the rest of the Japanese Ground Forces Tree. The vehicle, known by its full designation as the Imperial Japanese Army Type 4 15cm self-propelled gun Ho-Ro (Original Text: 日本語: 四式十五糎自走砲 ホロ), is an open-topped SPG with a short-barreled 150 mm howitzer, based on the Chi Ha chassis and running gear.

The name "Ho-Ro" translates roughly to Gun Two, or more properly, Self Propelled Gun Number 2.[1]

Since its introduction into War Thunder, the Ho-Ro has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful howitzer-equipped SPGs in the game despite its reserve battle-rating, right up there with the beloved KV-2. It is capable of destroying or severely disabling any opponent it meets (or more often ambushes), even against vehicles in Rank V. This is mainly due to its extremely effective High-Explosive shell, however this is balanced by the shell's low velocity, in which the player must literally lob the shell in a arc at their opponent even for a short distance, and the vehicle's generally light armour and limited gun traverse compared to other SPGs.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 12 mm (80°) Front glacis
15 mm (63°) Joint plate
25 mm (37-64°) Lower glacis
25 mm (28-36°) Top Left
25 mm (25-26°) Top Right
20 mm Bottom
17 mm (70°)
20 mm (4-69°)
8.5-12 mm
Turret 25 mm (15°) 20 mm (0-11°) N/A 12 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are both 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons)
Max speed (km/h)
14.8 N/A 43 (AB)
40 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 241 297
Realistic/Simulator 150 170
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 16.28 20.07
Realistic/Simulator 10.13 11.49

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: Type 38 (150 mm)
150 mm Type 38
Capacity Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
Stabilizer
28 -10°/+20° ±5° Vertical
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 3.60 4.90 6.00 9.8 _.__
Realistic 3.60 4.20 5.10 5.6 _.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
26.00 23.00 21.2 __.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration in mm @ 0° Angle of Attack
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
Type 95 APHE APHE 63 61 52 43 36 30
Type 92 HE HE 55 55 55 55 55 55
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
in m/s
Projectile
Mass in kg
Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
Normalization At 30°
from horizontal:
Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
Type 95 APHE APHE 290 36 1.3 15 2,600 -1° 47° 60° 65°
Type 92 HE HE 290 36 0.1 0.5 7,020 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Ammo racks
Full
ammo
Ammo
Part
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
28 Projectiles
Propellants
22 (+6)
22 (+6)
14 (+14)
14 (+14)
10  (+18)
10 (+18)
(+27)
(+27)
No

Machine guns

Main article: Type 97 tank (7.7 mm)
7.7 mm Type 97
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute)
Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
3,000 (20) 499 -10°/+60° ±60°

Usage in battles

The Ho-Ro a is fairly manoeuvrable SPG, and like many other open-topped vehicles, this is not one that should charge into the front-lines. Just like many of the other low-rank Japanese vehicles, it has no real armour protection from anything more than rifle-calibre MGs, and its ammo storage is literally a box mounted on top of the engine deck. The crew is very exposed, and the gun breech is mounted rather high on the chassis and can be easily knocked out. With this knowledge in mind, the Ho-Ro is best played by staying in the rear (but not distantly) of friendly tanks as short-range or point-blank artillery fire, along with finding hidden positions where it can attempt to be hull-down out of sight of the enemy.

Due to its low-velocity shell, the gun often needs to be aimed higher than the commander estimates when performing direct-fire onto a target, but this also allows the vehicle to lob shells from behind shallow hills, out of the sight from opponents that may be camping or pushing into friendly territory on the other side. Note however that because its HE shell is so powerful, it is extremely risky to fire directly next to or very close to an enemy vehicle, as the light armour may not protect the crew, and the blast from the shell's explosion it will certainly deal damage to the vehicle itself. The gun, while powerful, cannot traverse very far to either side and its depression is actually depressing (-5°), so in order to fire on tanks that are outside of the arc of the gun's horizontal traverse or down a hillside, the entire hull must be traversed as well. The recoil of the gun is also an issue, as it throws the vehicle backwards rather severely (just like the M-56 Scorpion), which means it loses target acquisition every time it fires.

One interesting note is the pintle-mounted MG on the roof, which has good elevation and a much wider range of horizontal fire than the main gun, which can be useful on spotting enemy tanks for team-mates or dealing with SPAAs that have exposed gun-crews. However, it has a slower rate of fire than most other rifle-calibre MGs and its magazine capacity is pitiful. In conclusion, the Ho-Ro is a very defensive vehicle suited to supporting friendly tanks and ambushing the enemy on paths where they may attempt to flank around the map.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 150 mm howitzer makes it an intimidating foe, largest calibre gun in Rank I
  • Howitzer's round trajectory makes it able to fire over hills
  • More TNT in its HE shells than the KV-2 (OF-530 HE shell has 6.86kg of TNT, compared to 7.2kg of TNT in the Type 92 HE shell)
  • HE load can cause sufficient splash and shrapnel damage even if the shell doesn't directly hit the target
  • Can destroy most, if not all, vehicles by shooting HE just under an enemy tank and hitting the thin belly armour
  • Can deter inattentive flak trucks or any vehicles with open and exposed crew with its roof-mounted MG
  • Quick, manoeuvrable in both AB and RB, though slightly sluggish to put into gear in the latter
  • Good 10 degrees of gun depression

Cons:

  • Super thin armour, extremely vulnerable to heavy machine guns, SPAAs, and aircraft
  • Extreme blast radius can destroy the vehicle if fired too close to oneself
  • Ammo Rack is literally a box behind the crew on top of the engine deck, leading to some very explosive ends if hit there
  • Massive recoil causes the vehicle to be launched backwards after firing, requiring aiming adjustment after every shot
  • Horizontal traverse is disappointing
  • Very slow muzzle velocity and limited range
  • At long range, the shells have a habit of bouncing harmlessly off armour surfaces without exploding
  • AP Shell lacking in penetration for the calibre relies more on HE power

History

The Type 4 Ho-Ro was a Self Propelled Gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army based off of the German Grille series. It was developed off the Type 97 Chi-Ha chassis and used a 150-millimetre Kruppe gun, considered outdated by 1942. It was used to combat American forces. Only few were made, and out of those few 8 were sunk with a Japanese ship somewhere in the Pacific. Usually deployed in groups of 4, it was used in the Philippines during late 1944 and then used in ones and twos on Okinawa, with a somewhat great affect. It was ineffective due to its 3 degrees of gun swing and 30 degrees of depression because of the gun mounts design. That gave it a small firing distance of 6,000 meters. It also could only fire 5 shells per minute because of the breechloader.

Media

Skin and Camouflages for the Ho-Ro in Warthunder Live.

References

  1. Silentstalker. "Japanese Tank Nomenclature." For the Record. WordPress, 06 Dec. 2013. Web. 15 Jan. 2017. Website

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Japan tank destroyers
Ro-Go Derivatives  Ro-Go Exp.
Chi-Ha Derivatives  Ho-Ni I · Ho-Ni III · Ho-Ro · Chi-Ha LG
Ho-Ri  Ho-Ri Prototype · Ho-Ri Production
Other  Na-To
JGSDF 
SPRG  Type 60 (C)
SPH  Type 75 · Type 99
ATGM  Type 60 ATM
Rocket  Type 75 MLRS
USA  ▅M36