ICM 1/48 48411 WWII U.S. Landing Marston Mat
Authentic replicas of World War II Allied airfield steel plates Plate assembly dimensions: 223 mm x 255 mm Multiple plate sets can be connected to create expansive airfields Ideal for diorama scenes or as compliments to 1:48 scale fighters, bombers, and other military aircraft Model Information Scale: 1:48 Length: 223 mm Width: 255 mm
During World War II, U.S. military engineering units used special plates called Marston Mat (or PSP—Pierced Steel Planking) to rapidly construct temporary field airfields. These steel plates withstood heavy loads and enabled the installation of stable, durable airfield surfaces for various aircraft on soft or unstable ground. Their perforated design allowed water to drain easily from the surface without compromising the covering’s quality.
The Marston Mat, named after its first testing location near Marston, North Carolina, in November 1941, became widely used in combat operations across the Pacific theatre, North Africa, and Europe. U.S. Army and Navy engineering units could construct airfields of various sizes in just days using these plates. After the war, the plates found new life in peaceful applications, particularly in building temporary roads and platforms.