Type 38 150mm howitzer (Japanese)

Description

The Japanese Type 38 150mm howitzer was a heavy artillery piece originally designed by the German company Krupp in 1905. It was adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army following the Russo-Japanese War and designated as the Type 38, marking the 38th year of Emperor Meiji’s reign. Initially imported from Germany, the howitzer was later produced under licence by Osaka Arsenal in Japan.

The Type 38 featured a hydro-spring recoil system, an interrupted screw breechblock, and a box trail carriage. It was equipped with a panoramic sight and a gun shield for crew protection. The weapon fired a variety of shells, including high-explosive, shrapnel, smoke, and gas rounds, with a maximum range of approximately 7,200 metres. Despite its effectiveness, the howitzer’s weight posed challenges for mobility, requiring a team of eight horses for transport.

Although considered obsolete after World War I, the Type 38 remained in service during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the early stages of World War II. It was used with some success against Chinese forces lacking heavy artillery but struggled when faced with more modern weaponry. Surplus units were later mounted on modified tank chassis as self-propelled guns. The Type 38 exemplifies the evolution of early 20th-century artillery design.

• Model: Type 38 150mm howitzer 
• Country/Army: Japanese
• Dimension (mm) (WxLxH): 28mm
• Material: UV Cured resin
• Original Designer: Studio Grozny & TigerAce1945
• These models are designed for modellers and collectors. They are not toys and are not suitable for children.
• Model supplied unassembled and unpainted. Additional finishing may be required during assembly.
• Finished colour of the product may vary from images shown.
• Photos and dimensions are at 28mm unless noted otherwise.
• All dimensions are complete with weapons unless otherwise stated.
• Other scales and dimensions may be available upon request.
• Models supplied at scales smaller than 20mm may be an alternative design more suitable for small scale prints. These are designed by Bergman or TigerAce1945