Description
Imperial Japanese Army 240mm Type 45 Heavy Siege Howitzer Projectile Movie Prop from Windtalkers (2002) with COA
Item Overview
This large 240mm projectile movie prop was made for the 2002 World War II film Windtalkers. It was designed to portray ammunition for the Imperial Japanese Army Type 45 240mm Heavy Siege Howitzer. The prop combines two areas of collecting interest: Japanese heavy-artillery history and original motion-picture production material. It was made from a mold, using some sort of lightweight material, probably rotationally-molded resin or fiberglass. From this same motion picture, we also had the two running/driving Ha-Go tank replicas, as well as one of the very large 240mm Type 45 howitzers that were "firing" this ammunition in the movie. The 240mm Type 45 howitzer was sold to a museum, but it can be seen in the photos of this listing before we shipped it out to the museum. The only thing included within this listing is the reproduction 240mm howitzer shell, as well as the Certificate of Authenticity. Click on the VIDEOS tab next to the DESCRIPTION tab to see the clip from the movie where these shells were being used!
This prop comes with its own Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate verifies that the specific item was used during the production of Windtalkers (2002). The certificate applies only to the prop identified with it.
Identification and Features
The prop is identified by its film provenance and by the Imperial Japanese artillery projectile it was made to portray. Its large size reflects the massive ammunition used with Japan’s Type 45 heavy siege howitzer.
- Item: Heavy-artillery projectile movie prop
- Caliber portrayed: 240mm
- Projectile application portrayed: Type 45 Heavy Siege Howitzer
- Military service portrayed: Imperial Japanese Army
- Film: Windtalkers
- Film release year: 2002
- Director: John Woo
- Included documentation: Certificate of Authenticity
- Status: Inert, nonfunctional movie prop
Movie-Prop Function
This prop was produced as a visual stand-in for a full-size Japanese heavy-artillery projectile. Motion-picture productions use props of this type as set dressing, ammunition displays, background ordnance, and objects handled around artillery positions. It was made for visual authenticity rather than service as ammunition. It contains no explosive charge, propellant, fuze, detonator, or functional ordnance components.
Documented Film Application
Windtalkers placed its main combat scenes against the 1944 Battle of Saipan. The production recreated Japanese positions, military equipment, ammunition, and battlefield settings to establish the Pacific War environment. Principal battle photography took place on Oahu, Hawaii, where large outdoor sets and military props were used to stand in for Saipan. This projectile belongs to the production material associated with that film and was patterned after ammunition for the Japanese Type 45 240mm siege howitzer.
Certificate of Authenticity
A Certificate of Authenticity is included with this movie prop. The COA supports the item’s stated connection to the production of Windtalkers and should remain with the prop as part of its provenance. The certificate adds important documentation for film-prop collectors, military museums, and future owners.
Movie-Prop History
Large artillery props were needed to build convincing Japanese gun positions without bringing original live ordnance onto a working film set. A 240mm projectile is especially suitable for this purpose because its size immediately communicates the scale of a heavy siege weapon. This prop survived after production and is now preserved as a physical artifact from the making of a major World War II film.
Type 45 Projectile and Ammunition History
The original Type 45 howitzer fired 240mm semi-fixed ammunition. With semi-fixed ammunition, the projectile and its propelling charge were handled as separate major components during loading. Period references describe Type 45 projectiles in roughly the 400-pound class, depending on projectile type. Their great size required loading equipment and a well-organized gun crew. This movie prop copies the outward form of that heavy ammunition but was never manufactured or intended for use as a live projectile.
Type 45 Heavy Siege Howitzer History
The Imperial Japanese Army adopted the Type 45 240mm Heavy Siege Howitzer in 1912, the 45th year of Emperor Meiji’s reign. Its development followed Japanese experience during the Russo-Japanese War, when very heavy artillery proved effective against fortified positions. The Type 45 was among Japan’s first major siege howitzers designed and built domestically. It entered service as a powerful but specialized weapon for attacking fortifications and supporting fixed defensive positions.
Weapon-System Background
The Type 45 was a massive artillery system weighing about 38 metric tons when emplaced. It was normally broken into major loads and transported on approximately ten vehicles. A crane and prepared platform were required to assemble the weapon, making it far less mobile than ordinary field artillery. Once installed, its high-angle fire and heavy projectiles allowed it to strike fortifications, gun positions, and protected targets at ranges exceeding ten kilometers.
History of Use
The Type 45 first saw combat during the 1914 Siege of Tsingtao, where Japanese forces attacked the German-held port in China. The howitzer remained in Imperial Japanese Army service through the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. Documented wartime employment included operations in Hong Kong, Bataan, Corregidor, and Manchuria. Its size limited rapid movement, but it remained valuable when the Japanese Army had time to prepare a siege battery or permanent defensive position.
Windtalkers Film History
Released by MGM in 2002, Windtalkers was directed and co-produced by John Woo and starred Nicolas Cage, Adam Beach, Christian Slater, Roger Willie, Mark Ruffalo, and other noted performers. The story follows U.S. Marines and Navajo code talkers during the Battle of Saipan. The film drew attention to the Navajo Marines whose coded battlefield communications were used during the Pacific War. Large outdoor sets, military vehicles, weapons, explosions, and ordnance props helped create the movie’s combat setting.
Condition
This is an inert, nonfunctional motion-picture prop rather than an original Imperial Japanese Army projectile. It contains no explosive, propellant, fuze, detonator, or other functioning ordnance material. A Certificate of Authenticity is included. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item and for any production wear, handling marks, finish loss, repairs, or storage wear visible on the prop.
Ideal For
This large-format movie prop fits collections centered on motion-picture history, Pacific War films, Japanese artillery, and inert display ordnance.
- Windtalkers memorabilia collections
- Original motion-picture prop collections
- John Woo and Nicolas Cage film displays
- Imperial Japanese Army artillery exhibits
- 240mm heavy-artillery and projectile collections
- World War II and Pacific Theater displays
- Museums, prop houses, and themed exhibits
Approx length 40", Approx width 9", Approx height 9", Approx weight 3.1lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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