Background
The Ho-Ni II was an improvement of the previous Ho-Ni I, which was armed with a 75 mm (2.95 in) gun. It was designed to carry out close infantry support using its more powerful howitzer, also being able to provide indirect fire. The Army Type 91 105 mm (4.13 in) howitzer was chosen for the task. Work started in 1942, as soon as the Ho-Ni I neared production. However, the lack of resources meant that it was built discontinuously in small numbers, from 1943 until 1945, when the resources and manpower were no longer available. The Type 1 designation is related to the year 1941, and Ho-Ni II meant “gun fourth, 2”.
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/jap/Type_1_Ho-Ni-II.php
Model
I found a box of Japanese Ro Ho SP gun models at a flea market during Guns of August. I had no “need” for the models, but at only $10, I figured I could not pass them up for my small Japanese army. Unfortunately, when I got them home, I found they had no guns (hence the price). Annoyed, I just put them in a box on the shelf. I recently found a few poorly painted Japanese trucks on eBay for a few dollars. I went ahead an purchased them to add to my force, as I had not trucks for my Japanese artillery. I received the trucked and decided I could work with them and decided to whip them out by dry brushing them up over the existing paint scheme.
While in the process, I remembered the SP guns. Having thought it through, I decided to go through by bits box and see what guns I had that I could use to finalize the kits. I came across some French 105mm gun barrels and thought that these would work for modeling the Japanese Ro Ni II (the Japanese 105mm was based on the French 105). A little bit of shaving here and their and I was able to fit the guns. I slapped on a quick paint job (opted to skip the camo, as my Japanese are Naval Infantry) and now have some useful vehicles!
Now you may say, that vehicle does not exist in the game! That would be true. My game group is open minded, so I can just use the artillery stats on in place of the ones provided. In a pinch, I can just say that it is a 15mm and play them as Ro Ni Is!
- Manteuffel