They were interlocking pieces
2007-03-24 03:56:36 · 4 answers · asked by joseph laosk 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Marston Mat
2007-03-24 04:09:01 · answer #1 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
PSP. or Pierced Steel Planking. It had tabs along one side and slots along the other side. This way, all the Air Corps had to do was clear a level area long enough for their aircraft, lay down the PSP and they had a runway.
After WW2 aluminum was used. (PAP). It worked well.
Later, aluminum planking with no holes was used for more permanent installations.
It was used at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base for the runway. During the monsoon season of 68-69 there was a particularly heavy rain that floated the planking off of the runway. A Skyraider followed the planking into a ditch, overturned and pilot drowned.
Soon after, the 556th CES, RED HORSE squadron replaced the planked runway with a permanent asphalt runway (which is still in use 38 years later.)
2007-03-24 11:22:20 · answer #2 · answered by Albannach 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bravo Zulu to Kermit... "Mardsen Mat" is the correct answer.
Also known as perforated steel planking or PSP it is in 10' x 16 inches.
You can buy surplus here: http://www.surpluscityca.com/landing-mats.htm
2007-03-24 11:34:30 · answer #3 · answered by mariner31 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
iron
2007-03-24 11:12:11 · answer #4 · answered by t(-_-)y 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋