Aircraft Gun List

The purpose of this page is to identify and lay out the basic details of every known aircraft gun developed by the Japanese military during WWII, of which there is often no data.

Table is incomplete. Sources for individual specs are being added.
Last Update MAR 29 2024

Army Machine Guns & Cannons
Gun NameFormatCartridgeVelocityRPMWeightFull LengthRecoilFeedAmmo PoolDesignManufacturePlanned* or Fitted A/CNotes
八九式旋回機関銃
Type 89 Flexible Machine Gun
Nambu-style gas-operated7.7x58mmSR810m/s(5)1,400(5)(7)28.0kg(5)1,079mm(5)Magazine
(100 rnds)(5)
Type 89 Ball Shell(5)(6),
Type 92 AP Ball Shell(6),
Type 92 Incendiary Ball Shell(6),
Type 92 Tracer Ball Shell(6),
Type 99 Special Incendiary Ball Shell (Ma-101)(6)
Kokura Army Arsenal, Nagoya Army ArsenalType 87 Heavy Bomber, Type 88 Recon Plane, Type 88 Light Bomber, Ki-1, Ki-2, Ki-3, Type 92 Recon Planetwin barrel
八九式旋回機関銃(特)
Type 89 Flexible Machine Gun (Special)
Nambu-style gas-operated7.7x58mmSR810m/s(5)1,400(5)31.9kg(5)1,079mm(5)Magazine
(90 rnds)(5)
Kokura Army Arsenal, Nagoya Army ArsenalKi-32, Ki-48Imodification of magazine
八九式固定機関銃
Type 89 Fixed Machine Gun
Vickers-style recoil-operated7.7x58mmSR820m/s(5)800(5)
1,100(5)
12.6kg(5)1,035mm(5)Clip(5)Kokura Army Arsenal, Nagoya Army ArsenalKi-21I Otsu, Ki-21II Kou, Ki-27 Kou, Ki-27 Otsu, Ki-43I Kou, Ki-43I Otsu, Ki-44I Kou, Ki-44II Kou, Ki-61I Koumain Army fixed 7.7mm, domestic Vickers E
テ1・試製単銃身旋回機関銃
Te-1, Experimental Single-Barrel Flexible Machine Gun
Vickers-style recoil-operated7.7x58mmSR1,000(7)MagazineKi-21I Kou, Ki-21I Otsuflexible development of Type 89 Fixed MG
テ2・試製多銃身旋回機関銃
Te-2
, Experimental Multi-Barrel Flexible Machine Gun
Nambu-style gas-operated7.7x58mmSRtriple barrel development of Type 89 Flexible MG
poor performance(7)
テ4・試製単銃身旋回機関銃二型
Te-4, Experimental Single-Barrel Flexible Machine Gun Mod.2
Nambu-style gas-operated7.7x58mmSR810m/s730(7)9.3kg1,069mmMagazineKokura Army Arsenal, Nagoya Army Arsenalmodified Type 89 Flexible MG with single-barrel
テ6・試製複銃身固定機関銃
Te-6, Experimental Double-Barrel Fixed Machine Gun
Nambu-style gas-operated7.7x58mmSRNagoya Army Arsenaleasier to manufacture derivative of Te-4(7)
テ3・一式旋回機関銃
Te-3, Type 1 Flexible Machine Gun
BREN-style gas-operated7.92x57mm730m/s(7)
810m/s(7)
1,500(7)
2,200(7)
16.7kg1,180mmMagazineType 1 Ball Shell(6),
Type 1 AP Ball Shell(6),
Type 1 Incendiary Ball Shell(6),
Type 3 Special Incendiary Ball Shell (Ma-104)(6)
Nagoya Army ArsenalKi-48II, Ki-66twin barrel
テ5・試製単銃身固定機関銃
Te-5, Experimental Single-Barrel Fixed Machine Gun
Browning-style recoil-operated7.92x57mm730m/s(7)1,000(7)BeltJapan Special Steelto replace Type 89 Fixed MG, but abandoned(7)
became Type 4 HMG for tanks
九八式旋回機関銃
Type 98 Flexible Machine Gun
Rheinmetall-style recoil-operated7.92x57mm730m/s(7)1,100(7)7.2kg1,078mmMagazineNagoya Army ArsenalKi-48IIdomestic MG15
ホ101・試製十二.七粍固定機関砲一型
Ho-101, Experimental 12.7mm Fixed Machine Cannon
Mod.1
Gas-operated(7)12.7x81mmSRType 1 Ball Shell(6),
Type 1 Tracer Shell(6),
Ma-102(6),
Ma-103(6),
Ma-105(8),
Ma-106(8)
Kokura Army ArsenalType 89 Fixed MG with increased caliber
poor performance(7)
ホ102・試製十二.七粍固定機関砲二型
Ho-102
, Experimental 12.7mm Fixed Machine Cannon Mod.2
Breda-style (7)12.7x81mmSRBR.20Breda-SAFAT copy(7)
too heavy(7)
ホ103・一式十二.七粍固定機関砲
Ho-103
, Type 1 12.7mm Fixed Machine Cannon
Browning-style recoil-operated12.7x81mmSR780m/s800(7)23kg1,267mmBeltCentral Mfg.Nagoya Army Arsenal, Central Mfg.Ki-43I Otsu, Ki-43I Hei, Ki-43II, Ki-43III Kou, Ki-44I Kou, Ki-44I Otsu, Ki-44I Hei, Ki-44II Kou, Ki-44II Otsu, Ki-44II Hei, Ki-45 Kai Kou, Ki-45 Kai Otsu, Ki-61I Kou, Ki-61I Otsu, Ki-61I Hei, Ki-61I Tei, Ki-61II Kai, Ki-100I, Ki-100IImain Army 12.7mm, fixed version
ホ103・一式十二.七粍旋回機関砲
Ho-103, Type 1 12.7mm Flexible Machine Cannon
Browning-style recoil-operated12.7x81mmSR750m/s900(7)7.2kg1,267mmKi-21II Otsu, Ki-48II Hei, Ki-67I, Ki-67II, Ki-109main Army 12.7mm, flexible version
ホ104・試製十二.七粍旋回機関砲
Ho-104
, Experimental 12.7mm Flexible Machine Cannon
Gas-operated12.7x81mmSRKokura Army Arsenal
ホ105
Ho-105
12.7x81mmSRno record, presumed to exist
ホ106
Ho-106
12.7x81mmSRtwin barrel
九四式旋回機関砲
Type 94 Flexible Machine Cannon
Oerlikon-style Recoil-operated20x99mmRB680m/s(5)(7)280(5)
380(7)
54.0kg(5)(7)
(/w mag)
1,965mm(5)Drum Mag
(15 rnds)(5)
Type 94 HE Shell(5)
Type 94 Tracer Shell(5)
Ki-20
ホ1・試製二十粍旋回機関砲
Ho-1
, Experimental 20mm Flexible Machine Cannon
Nambu-style gas-operated20x125mm820m/s(7)400(7)32.63kg1,735mmMagazineHE Shell(6),
Substitute HE Shell(6),
HE Tracer Shell(6),
Substitute HE Tracer Shell(6),
Type 2 HE Shell(6),
Type 2 Substitute HE Shell(6),
Type 2 HE Tracer Shell(6),
Type 2 Substitute HE Tracer Shell(6),
Type 2 AP Tracer Shell(6),
Ma-201(6),
Ma-202(6),
Ma-205(8),
Ma-206(8)
Japan Special Steel, GikenKokura Army ArsenalKi-49I, Ki-49II
ホ2・試製二十粍固定機関砲
Ho-2, Experimental 20mm Fixed Machine Cannon
ホ3・試製二十粍固定機関砲二型
Ho-3, Experimental 20mm Fixed Machine Cannon Mod.2
Nambu-style gas-operated20x125mm846m/s400(7)45kg1,740mmMagazineJapan Special Steel, GikenKokura Army ArsenalKi-45 Kai Kou, Ki-45 Kai HeiHo-1 derived with increased lifespan(7)
ホ4・試製二十粍旋回機関銃四型
Ho-4, Experimental 20mm Flexible Machine Cannon Mod.4
Nambu-style gas-operated(7)20x125mmJapan Special Steelimproved fire-rate over Ho-1 and Ho-3(7)
ホ5・二式軽量二十粍固定機関砲
Ho-5, Type 2 Lightweight 20mm Fixed Machine Cannon
Browning-style recoil-operated20x94mm735m/s(7)800(7)37kg(7)1,444mm0.8t(7)BeltCentral Mfg.Kokura Army Arsenal, Nagoya Army Arsenal, HitachiKi-43III Otsu, Ki-45 Kai Tei, Ki-46 Otsu, Ki-46 Otsu+Hei, Ki-61I Tei, Ki-61II, Ki-67I, Ki-67II, Ki-83, Ki-84 Kou, Ki-84 Otsu, Ki-84 Hei, Ki-93, Ki-100, Ki-102 Kou, Ki-102 Otsu, Ki-102 Hei, Ki-201*main Army 20mm
ホ5II
Ho-5II
Browning-style recoil-operated20mm800m/s(7)700(7)35kg(7)1450mm(7)Beltlightened Ho-5 with higher velocity(7)
ホ6・試製翼内二十粍固定機関砲
Ho-6, Experimental in-Wing 20mm Fixed Machine Cannon
Gas-operated20mmKokura Army Arsenal
ホ7・試製二十粍旋回機関砲
Ho-7
, Experimental 20mm Flexible Machine Cannon
20mmNagoya Army Arsenal
ホ10
Ho-10
20mm
ホ11
Ho-11
20mm
ホ12
Ho-12
20x125mm900m/s60054.9kg2,009mmBeltvelocity increased Ho-1/Ho-3(8)
マウザー
Mauser
Recoil-operated20x82mm700m/s80042kg1,766mmBeltMauserMauserKi-61I HeiMG 151/20
ホ式二十五粍機関砲
Type Ho 25mm Machine Cannon
25mm
ホ51
Ho-51
Browning-style recoil-operated25x115mm692m/s40055kgCentral Mfg.miniaturized breech(8)
ホ52
Ho-52
Browning-style recoil-operated25x150mm
ホ151
Ho-151
30mmMa-301(8)30mm machine cannon based on Type Ra 37mm(8)
ホ152
Ho-152
30mmpush-through belt(8)
ホ153
Ho-153
Bofors-style recoil-operated(8)30mmBofors-style(8)
ホ154
Ho-154
30mmno record, presumed to exist
ホ155I・試製三十粍固定機関砲
Ho-155I, Experimental 30mm Fixed Machine Cannon
Browning-style recoil-operated30x114mm700m/s(7)600(7)50kg(7)1,930mm1.5t(7)BeltNagoya Army ArsenalNagoya Army ArsenalKi-83, Ki-94II, Ki-102 Hei
ホ155II・試製三十粍固定機関砲
Ho-155II, Experimental 30mm Fixed Machine Cannon
Browning-style recoil-operated30x114mm700m/s(7)500(7)50kg(7)1,510mm1.5t(7)BeltNagoya Army ArsenalNagoya Army Arsenal, Kokura Army ArsenalKi-84I Hei, Ki-200*, Ki-201*
ホ156
Ho-156
30mmvelocity increased Ho-155
九八式三十七粍戦車砲
Type 98 37mm Tank Cannon
37mmType 94 HE Shell(6)
Type 94 Substitute AP Shell(6)
Ki-45 Kai Otsu
ホ201・試製三十七粍旋回機関砲一型
Ho-201, Experimental 37mm Flexible Machine Cannon Mod.1
Gas-operated37mmType 4 HE Shell(6),
Type 4 Substitute HE Shell(6),
Type 4 AP Shell(6),
Type 4 Substitute AP Shell(6),
Type 4 Special Incendiary Shell (Ma-351)(6)(8)
Kokura Army Arsenal
ホ202試製三十七旋回機関砲二型
Ho-202, Experimental 37mm Flexible Machine Cannon Mod.2
Recoil-operated37mmNagoya Army Arsenal
ホ203・試製三十七粍旋回機関砲三型
Ho-203, Experimental 37mm Flexible Machine Cannon Mod.3
Recoil-operated37x111mmR570m/s(7)100(7)80kg(7)1,500mm0.7t(7)MagazineJapan Special SteelJapan Special Steel, Nagoya Army Arsenal, Kokura Army ArsenalKi-45 Kai Hei
ホ204・試製三十七粍旋回機関砲四型
Ho-204, Experimental 37mm Flexible Machine Cannon Mod.4
Browning-style recoil-operated37x144mm710m/s(7)400(7)130kg(7)2,460mm(7)1.3t(7)MagazineCentral Mfg.Central Mfg., Nagoya Army Arsenal, Kokura Army ArsenalKi-46III Otsu+Hei, Ki-102 Kou, Ki-108, Ki-108 Kai
ホ205
Ho-205
Browning-style recoil-operated37mmvelocity-increased Ho-204(8)
ホ206
Ho-206
37mmreduced scale Ho-204(8)
ホ301・試製四十粍固定機関砲
Ho-301, Experimental 40mm Fixed Machine Cannon
Oerlikon-style API-blowback40mm220m/s(7)400(7)40kg(7)1,520mm(7)0.8t(7)MagazineHE Shell(6),
Substitute HE Shell(6)
Central Mfg.Nagoya Army ArsenalKi-44II Otsu, Ki-45 Kai Bo
ホ251
Ho-251
47mm700m/s250350kg2,667mmKokura Army Arsenalto research firing rate of large-caliber guns(8)
ホ401
Ho-401
Recoil-operated57x121mmR500m/s(7)80(7)150kg(7)1,980mm(7)1.0t(7)MagazineSubstitute Shell(7),
HE Shell(7),
AP Shell(7)
Japan Special SteelJapan Special Steel, Nagoya Army ArsenalKi-102 Otsu
ホ402
Ho-402
Recoil-operated57x477mmR700m/s(7)80(7)400kg(7)4,500mm(7)1.5t(7)MagazineNagoya Army ArsenalKi-93*velocity increased Ho-401(8)
for killing tanks
ホ403
Ho-403
57mm700m/s340kg2,794mmKokura Army Arsenalfire-rate increase(8)
ホ3057
Ho-3057
57mm500m/s(7)400(7)Ho-301 derived rocket gun(7)
ホ3157
Ho-3157
57x187mmRB600m/s(7)300(7)Ho-301 derived rocket gun(7)
「キ109」搭載砲
‘Ki-109’ Mounted Cannon
75x497mmR720m/s20740kg3,312mm4.8tManualKi-109Type 88 7cm AA,
to kill stratbombers
ホ501
Ho-501
75x185mmR500m/s(7)80(7)450kg(7)Ki-93*uses Type 41 Mountain Gun cartridge
ホ502
Ho-502
75mmvelocity-increased Ho-501(8)
ホ503
Ho-503
75mmno record, presumed to exist
ホ504
Ho-504
75mmno record, presumed to exist
ホ505
Ho-505
75mmrecoilless
ホ506
Ho-506
75mmno record, presumed to exist
ホ507
Ho-507
75mmrocket gun
ホ3057
Ho-3075
75mm450m/s(7)300(7)larger Ho-3057 plan
abandoned
ホ3157
Ho-3175
75mm500m/s(7)200(7)larger Ho-3157 plan
abandoned
ホ601
Ho-601
120mm300m/s(7)for attacking small vessels
ホ701
Ho-701
150mmlarger Ho-601 plan

Navy Machine Guns & Cannons
Gun NameFormatCartridgeVelocityRPMWeightLengthRecoilFeedDesignManufacturePlanned* or Fitted A/CNotes
九二式七粍七旋回機銃一型
Type 92 7.7mm Flexible Machine Gun Mod.1
Lewis-style gas-operated(1)7.7x56mmR745m/s(1)700(1)8.2kg(1)967mm(1)Magazine (97 rnds)(1)Toyokawa Navy Arsenal, Yokosuka Navy ArsenalF1M2(1), D3A2(1), D4Y1(1), B6N2(1), Q1W1(1), E13A1(1), E14Y1(1),E15K1(1), E16A1(1), H8K2(1), H8K3(1)
九二式七粍七旋回機銃一型改一
Type 92 7.7mm Flexible Machine Gun Mod.1
Kai 1
Lewis-style gas-operated7.7x56mmR
九七式七粍七固定機銃三型改二
Type 97 7.7mm Fixed Machine Gun Mod.3 Kai 2
Vickers-style recoil-operated(1)7.7x56mmR745m/s(1)860(1)13.3kg(1)1,033mm(1)BeltKūgishō(4)Kūgishō(4), Japan Steel Works(4)D3A2(1), D4Y1(1), F1M2(1), A6M1(1), A6M2(1), A6M2-N(1), A6M5(1), J1N1-R(1), J2M2(1), N1K1(1), N1K1-J(1), E16A1(1)left or right feeding
一式七粍九旋回機銃一型
Type 1 7.9mm Flexible Machine Gun Mod.1
Rheinmetall-style blowback-operated(1)7.92x57mm785m/s(1)1,000(1)6.9kg(1)1,080mm(1)Magazine (75 rnds)(1)Kūgishō(4)Kūgishō(4), Tagajō Navy Arsenal, Yokosuka Navy ArsenalC6N1(1)domestic MG15
二式十三粍旋回機銃一型
Type 2 13mm Flexible Machine Gun Mod.1
Rheinmetall-style recoil-operated(1)13.0x64mmB750m/s(1)(3)900(1)
936(3)
17.1kg(1)
17.148kg(3)
1,169mm(1)
1,167mm(3)
Belt(1)Toyokawa Navy ArsenalR1Y1*(1), M6A1(1), G7M1*(1), G8N1(1)domestic MG131
三式十三粍固定機銃一型
Type 3 13mm Fixed Machine Gun
Mod.1
Browning-style recoil-operated(1)13.2x99mm800m/s(1)800(1)28kg(1)1,330mm(1)BeltSuzuka Navy Arsenal, Toyokawa Navy Arsenal
三式十三粍旋回機銃一型
Type 3 13mm Flexible Machine Gun Mod.1
Browning-style recoil-operated13.2x99mm800m/s80034kg1,550mmKūgishō(4)Kūgishō(4), Suzuka Navy Arsenal, Toyokawa Navy ArsenalG4M3(1), G7M1*(1)
十四試十四粍固定機銃一型
Test-14 14mm Fixed Machine Gun Mod.1
Oerlikon-style API-blowback14.5x100mmRB970m/s63028kg1,640mmMagazine
九九式二十粍一號旋回機銃一型
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Flexible Machine Gun Mod.1
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x72mmRB600m/s450MagazineGreat Japan Weapons
九九式二十粍一號旋回機銃一型改一
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Flexible Machine Gun Mod.1 Kai 1
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x72mmRB600m/s450MagazineGreat Japan Weaponsmodification to shell ejection port
九九式二十粍一號旋回機銃一一型
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Flexible Machine Gun Mod.11
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x72mmRB600m/s520MagazineGreat Japan Weapons
九九式二十粍一號旋回機銃一一型改一
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Flexible Machine Gun Mod.11 Kai 1
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x72mmRB600m/s520MagazineGreat Japan Weaponsmodification to shell ejection port
九九式二十粍一號旋回機銃一一型改二
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Flexible Machine Gun Mod.11 Kai 2
Oerlikon-style API-blowback(1)20x72mmRB600m/s(1)535(1)23.2kg(1)1,360mm(1)Magazine (30/45 rnds)(1)Great Japan WeaponsP1Y!(1), G4M1, G4M2(1), G4M3(1), H8K2(1), H8K3(1)
九九式二十粍一號旋回機銃四型
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Flexible Machine Gun Mod.4
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x72mmRB600m/s535MagazineGreat Japan WeaponsG4M2(1), H8K2(1), H8K3(1)Fixed Mk.1 Mod.3 used with a powered mount
九九式二十粍一號固定機銃二型
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.2
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x72mmRB600m/s(3)520(3)23kg(3)1,331mm(3)Magazine (60/100 rnds)(3)Great Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Toyokawa Navy Arsenal
九九式二十粍一號固定機銃二型改一
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.2 Kai 1
Oerlikon-style API-blowback(1)20x72mmRB600m/s(1)535(1)23.3kg(1)1,360mm(1)Magazine (60/100 rnds)(1)Great Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Toyokawa Navy Arsenal
九九式二十粍一號固定機銃三型
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.3
Oerlikon-style API-blowback(1)20x72mmRB600m/s(1)535(1)23.3kg(1)1,360mm(1)Magazine (60/100 rnds)(1)Great Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Toyokawa Navy ArsenalN1K1(1), A6M2(1), A6M2-N(1), J2M2(1)electrical firing,
otherwise prev
九九式二十粍一號固定機銃四型
Type 99 20mm Mk.1 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.4
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x72mmRB600m/s55027.2kg1,331mmBeltGreat Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Toyokawa Navy ArsenalJ2M3(1)change to belt feed
九九式二十粍二號固定機銃三型
Type 99 20mm Mk.2 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.3
Oerlikon-style API-blowback(1)20x101mmRB750m/s(1)480(1)33.5kg(1)1,890mm(1)Magazine (100 rnds)(1)Great Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Tagajō Navy ArsenalJ1N1-S(1), J1N1-R(1), A6M5(1), G4M2(1), G4M3(1), H8K2(1), H8K3(1)electrical firing
九九式二十粍二號固定機銃三型特
Type 99 20mm Mk.2 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.3 Special
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x101mmRB750m/s48033.5kg1,890mmMagazineGreat Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Tagajō Navy Arsenalpneumatic charging pump
九九式二十粍二號固定機銃四型
Type 99 20mm Mk.2 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.4
Oerlikon-style API-blowback(1)20x101mmRB750m/s(1)500(1)30kg(1)1,888mm(1)Belt(1)Great Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Tagajō Navy ArsenalJ2M3(1), N1K2-J(1), A7M1(1), A7M2, J4M1(1), J5N1(1), J6K1*(1), P1Y2-S(1), G7M1*(1), S1A1(1)change to belt feed
九九式二十粍二號固定機銃四型
Type 99 20mm Mk.2 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.4
Oerlikon-style API-blowback20x101mmRB750m/s62038kg1,885mm1.5tBeltGreat Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Tagajō Navy ArsenalJ2M3(1), N1K2-J(1), A7M1(1), A7M2, J4M1(1), J5N1(1), J6K1*(1), P1Y2-S(1), G7M1*(1), G8N1(1), S1A1(1)fire-rate improved in production
九九式二十粍二號固定機銃五型
Type 99 20mm Mk.2 Fixed Machine Gun Mod.5
Oerlikon-style API-blowback(2)20x101mmRB750m/s(2)750(2)38kg(2)1,840mm(2)2.5t(2)Belt(2)Great Japan WeaponsGreat Japan Weapons, Tagajō Navy ArsenalA7M3*fire-rate improved
十八試二十粍固定機銃
Test-18 20mm Fixed Machine Gun
Gas-operated(2)20x98mm750m/s(2)700(2)42kg(2)1,950mm(2)1.5t(2)Belt(2)KūgishōJ6K1*
十七試二十五粍固定機銃
Test-17 25mm Fixed Machine Gun
Browning-style Recoil-operated25x163mm750m/s45075kg2,240mmKūgishō(4)Kūgishō(4)
二式三十粍固定機銃一型
Type 2 30mm Fixed Machine Gun
Mod.1
Oerlikon-style API-blowback(1)30x92mm710m/s(1)400(1)50.9kg(1)2,095mm(1)Magazine (42 rnds)(1)Great Japan WeaponsGreat Japan WeaponsA6M3, J2M2, P1Y2-S
十七試三十粍固定機銃一型甲
Test-17 30mm Fixed Machine Gun Model 1 Kō
五式三十粍固定機銃一型
Type 5 30mm Fixed Machine Gun Mod.1
Gas/recoil/API-operated30x122mm750m/s35070kg2,090mmBeltKūgishō, Japan Special SteelKūgishō(4), Toyokawa Navy ArsenalJ2M5, J4M1, J5N1, D4Y2-S, J7W1, A7M3-J*, S1A1(1)
十七試三十粍固定機銃一型
Test-17 30mm Fixed Machine Gun Model 1 Otsu
Gas/recoil/API-operated30x122mm800m/s(4)450(4)68kg(4)Belt(4)Japan Special Steel
十七試四十粍固定機銃
Test-17 40mm Fixed Machine Gun
Recoil-operated(2)40x150mm700m/s(2)220(2)180kg(2)2,500mm(2)3.0t(2)Belt(2)Kūgishō(4)Kūgishō(4)
仮称五式空八糎砲
Tentatively Named Type 5 Aerial 8cm Cannon
Manual-loaded(2)76.2x405mmR600m/s(2)520kg(2)3,200mm(2)4.0t(2)P1Ybased on Type 3rd-Year 8cm AA,
to kill stratbombers

  1. Translations and Interrogations No. 16 (CINCPAC-CINCPOA) 20 Jan 1945
  2. 主要試作兵器ノ要目性能表(第一海軍技術廠)終戦後
  3. Translations and Interrogations No. 21 (CINCPAC-CINCPOA) 12 Mar 1945
  4. Translations and Interrogations No. 22 (CINCPAC-CINCPOA) 20 Mar 1945
  5. Translations and Interrogations No. 34 (CINCPAC-CINCPOA) 27 Jun 1945
  6. Translations and Interrogations No. 36 (CINCPAC-CINCPOA) 14 Jul 1945
  7. Ordnance Technical Intelligence Report 19
  8. 航空機用機関砲及弾薬略号(陸軍)昭和十九年七月

7 responses to “Aircraft Gun List”

  1. ZeroTheHero Avatar
    ZeroTheHero

    Absolutely outstanding!

    I must say the Te-3 Type 1 flexible machine gun really jumped out at me- 2,200 rpm cyclic rate?! The highest I’ve seen of any WW2 machine gun.
    Prototype? Multi-barrel? Belt-fed? Are just a few of the questions I have.

    Was a Ginga ever fitted with the Type 5 Aerial 8cm cannon?!

    Looking forward to any and all future updates to this section as well!

    Thank you!

    1. qaz Avatar

      Hello, sorry for replying late,

      Te-3 is a double barrel MG (I added a note now). It received a service name and was fitted to some planes, but did not pass testing for durability. The performance of the gun is contradictory between sources.

      Type 5 Aerial 8 cm Cannon was based on 3rd Year Type AA. It was fitted to Ginga and test fired many times in 1945 according to one record, but it is unclear if it flew (it’s written that they managed to stop the decomposition of the airframe while firing…). More clearly, it did not take part in combat. It’s basically the Navy version of Ki-109, and due to 76.2 mm caliber, the largest Japanese aircraft gun actually built.

      1. ZeroTheHero Avatar
        ZeroTheHero

        A late reply is better than no reply at all. There is a series of pics of a Ki-48, with a twin-barreled MG in the upper rear position, (At Clark Field, IIRC). I’m fairly certain I’ve seen pics of another aircraft also armed with the same MG, but can’t recall.

        It would be fantastic to find pics of the Ginga armed with the Type 5, Aerial 8cm cannon.

      2. ZeroTheHero Avatar
        ZeroTheHero

        Here’s the link featuring a doubled-barreled MG on a Ki-48.

        https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/japan/aircrafts/ki-48/close-up-of-ki-48-rear-gun-position-45/

        The Twin-Barrel Type 89 seems to have a wider space between the barrels and sectioned cheese-wheel type mag. Whereas the gun linked above has closer spaced barrels and saddle-type mag. The Arawasi blog here: https://arawasi-wildeagles.blogspot.com/search/label/Kawasaki%20Ki-48%20%22Lily%22 shows a Ki-48 with Type 89 Twin-barrel MG, with the sectioned cheese-wheel mag (for lack of a better term, LOL)

        1. qaz Avatar

          That’s quite right, this is a Ki-48-II equipped with a Type 1 Flexible MG (Te-3).

          Japanese Army MGs are quite poorly understood and the designations are often mixed up. Especially in English, but even in Japanese books.

          Here you can see that the Ki-48-I was equipped with 試製単銃身旋回機関銃二型 [Exp. Single-Barrel Flexible MG Mod.2], which is Te-4, in the nose and lower rear stations.
          You can also see that Ki-48-I was equipped with 八九式旋回機関銃(特)[Type 89 Flexible MG (Special)] in the upper rear station.
          https://karyu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ki-48-weapons.png

          On the other hand, as in your photo, you can see here that the later Ki-48-II variant was equipped with the 一式旋回機関銃 (Type 1 Flexible MG), which is the newer Te-3, in the upper rear station.
          https://karyu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ki-48ii-upper-gun.png
          And you can see in the second link that the lower rear station of Ki-48-II was equipped with the newer 九八式旋回機関銃 (Type 98 Flexible MG). The nose was also equipped with the Type 98.
          https://karyu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ki-48ii-lower-gun.png

          I need to add much more detail to these tables, but at the moment my current site formatting does not allow it to fit, and I am a bit busy for now…

  2. Dan Avatar
    Dan

    Hey Qaz

    Where can I find those drawings of Ki-48 armament?

    Wish I’d reread this section before my question/comment on the J2M 30mm cannon installment in a previous post, oops.
    I see that the 30mm in the J2M were in fact mag fed, 42rds each.

    I noticed at times in other places on the internet in which these topics are addressed, people have asked why the belt-fed guns have a lower cyclic rate (not knowing at the time I hadn’t “chimed in” as they say.) It’s quite simple really: belt-fed guns actually use the firing, recoiling and firing again cycle to drag/pull the shells/bullets into the gun- the entire weight of a full belt of ammunition has to be dragged/pulled through the gun and with the correct measuring equipment one can see (and hear) the cyclic rate actually increases as the belt becomes lighter due to the cartridges being fired and ejected.

    Drum/mag fed guns have a spring that actually pushes the shells/bullets into the gun, eliminating all the mechanical drag of a belt of ammo.

    The insanely high cyclic rate of modern multi-barrel gatling/rotary guns is only because they all have powered (electric or hydraulic) feeding systems that again, push the shells into the gun.

    ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY: GAU-8, Gsh-6-30, Gsh-6-23 and M134

    I can’t say enough how much I love this site! Thank you!

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