1:72 Marston Mat

ICM Marston Mat: landing matting (1:72, a diorama base)

This is a plastic diorama base in 1:72 scale from the Ukrainian maker ICM, which reproduces Marston Mat, the American pierced steel airfield matting (Pierced Steel Planking, PSP) of the Second World War. It is not a model of an aircraft or a vehicle, but a base on which you display a model or from which you build a diorama. The base is injection-molded in light gray plastic with finely engraved relief of the planks and serves as a faithful surface for an airfield stand.

The real subject

Marston Mat were pierced steel planks that engineer units laid quickly over soft or unstable ground, creating a serviceable airfield surface within a few days. The matting carried even heavy machines and was used in the Pacific, in North Africa and in Europe. The planks interlocked and formed a continuous, firm surface.

Use

• The package holds several planks, which are put together into a larger area.
• It serves as a base under a model of an aircraft or vehicle in 1:72.
• Join the planks with cement for plastic; the edges can be built into a diorama.
• Bring out the relief with a wash and add rust, mud and dust effects.

This is a diorama base, not an airplane kit. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package.