During World War II, Allied military engineering units used special metal plates called Marston Mat (aka PSP, or Pierced Steel Planking) to rapidly construct temporary field airfields. These steel plates could withstand heavy loads and enabled the quick 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, NC, in November 1941, became widely used in combat operations across the Pacific theater, North Africa, and Europe. Allied 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 and numerous uses on farms. In addition to its use by the USAAF and USN, the Marston Mat was also used by the RAF.

Marston Mat has been available from other manufacturers in the past, both in IM and PE form, but I believe this offering by Ukrainian manufacturer ICM is the first time it has been offered as an IM product that is readily expandable to suit any aircraft type. The standard ICM lidded box with full-colour slip cover holds eight identical runners that each provide half of a ‘unit.’ These halves can be glued either end-to end, in which case they interlock, or side-by-side, joining with small tabs. When all eight are constructed together, they create a rectangular base 224 X 255mm (8.8 X 10 ins). That’s large enough to house a typical WWII fighter, such as the Spitfire illustrated on the boxart. The base may be incorporated into a larger landscaped base if required.

Construction is simplicity itself – the parts have small interlocking tabs. I painted the base by first priming with an acrylic black base, then rough painting over that with steel enamel paint, finally adding a dark earth wash. Your model may vary according to your painting style and the theatre you intend to depict.

This is a very useful accessory for your WWII American or British fighter aircraft, and given the interlocking nature of the parts, it is readily expandable to create a base for larger models such as medium bombers. Highly recommended.

My thanks to the good folks at ICM, who continue to produce high quality products even as they face the threat of deadly attacks on civilians by the Russians.