PSP

[Gary Watson]

I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas. Also looking for a
source of approx 100,000 sq feet of the stuff if any is still around in
useable condition. Any pictures or data would be appreciated

Gary W
/nospam

[Vaughn]

Try rec.crafts.metalworking, you never know.

Vaughn

"Gary Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote in message
. ca...
> I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
> used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas. Also looking for a
> source of approx 100,000 sq feet of the stuff if any is still around in
> useable condition. Any pictures or data would be appreciated
>
> Gary W
> /nospam
>
>

[Phineas Pinkham]

It was called Pierced Steel Planking in the Pacific Theatre!


"Gary Watson" wrote in message

> I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
> used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas.

[Guy Alcala]

Phineas Pinkham wrote:

> It was called Pierced Steel Planking in the Pacific Theatre!
>
> "Gary Watson" wrote in message
>
> > I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
> > used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas.

And the more modern variety, used in Vietnam and the Falklands and apparently
still used by the USMC, is called AM-2 (aluminum rather than steel).

Guy

[Keith Willshaw]

"Gary Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote in message
. ca...
> I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
> used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas. Also looking for a
> source of approx 100,000 sq feet of the stuff if any is still around in
> useable condition. Any pictures or data would be appreciated
>
> Gary W
> /nospam
>
>

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/korea/psp.htm
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/cactus/photo9.htm

Its still available by the way, you can buy some at

http://www.calumetindustries.com/lmats.html

I've seen it used on construction sites for temporary roads

Keith

[Kevin Brooks]

"Gary Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote in message >...
> I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
> used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas. Also looking for a
> source of approx 100,000 sq feet of the stuff if any is still around in
> useable condition. Any pictures or data would be appreciated
>
> Gary W
> /nospam

Check the older 5- series US Army FM's/TM's; you may be able to find
the old roads/airfields TM available for purchase. Some info might
also be found if you check into the official US Army hostorical series
on WWII, which included a few volumes on engineer operations,
organization, equipment, etc. And IIRC the actual nomenclature was
"pierced steel planking"...

As to obtaining it today....maybe through a DoD surplus sale, but i
would not hold my breath.

Brooks

[Kevin Brooks]

Guy Alcala > wrote in message >...
> Phineas Pinkham wrote:
>
> > It was called Pierced Steel Planking in the Pacific Theatre!
> >
> > "Gary Watson" wrote in message
> >
> > > I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
> > > used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas.
>
> And the more modern variety, used in Vietnam and the Falklands and apparently
> still used by the USMC, is called AM-2 (aluminum rather than steel).

Without resorting to diggin' out the old 5-34, IIRC there was little
similarity between PSP and the aluminum matting. The aluminum product
uses (it is still around as far as I know) a honeycomb interior with
solid (not perforated) external sheets (and is even more of a bitch to
install, since it is extremely unforgiving of the slightest uneveness
in the underlying base surface). I don't recall anyone actually
building a complete airstrip out of the stuff (though I am sure it has
been done, probably back when it was brand new), but it was one of the
better choices for apron and helipad construction until the advent of
modern geotextiles. My sole first-hand experience with putting it
together was during EOBC, and we only strung a few panels together to
get the gist of the procedure.

Brooks

>
> Guy

[Guy Alcala]

Kevin Brooks wrote:

> Guy Alcala > wrote in message >...
> > Phineas Pinkham wrote:
> >
> > > It was called Pierced Steel Planking in the Pacific Theatre!
> > >
> > > "Gary Watson" wrote in message
> > >
> > > > I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
> > > > used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas.
> >
> > And the more modern variety, used in Vietnam and the Falklands and apparently
> > still used by the USMC, is called AM-2 (aluminum rather than steel).
>
> Without resorting to diggin' out the old 5-34, IIRC there was little
> similarity between PSP and the aluminum matting.

<snip>

Quite agree, the only similarity is what it was used for. BTW, you can go to the TRADOC Digital library website,

http://www.adtdl.army.mil/atdls.htm

click on "Documents" and then "Field Manuals", and download or look at just about any current FM you wish, including the one
(I think it's FM 5-430-00-2, but it might be in a different one) that tells you all about how to put together various types
of matting. ISTR that the Army uses something a bit different from AM-2 now, but the relevant FM still tells you all about
it.

> The aluminum product
> uses (it is still around as far as I know) a honeycomb interior with
> solid (not perforated) external sheets (and is even more of a bitch to
> install, since it is extremely unforgiving of the slightest uneveness
> in the underlying base surface). I don't recall anyone actually
> building a complete airstrip out of the stuff (though I am sure it has
> been done, probably back when it was brand new), but it was one of the
> better choices for apron and helipad construction until the advent of
> modern geotextiles. My sole first-hand experience with putting it
> together was during EOBC, and we only strung a few panels together to
> get the gist of the procedure.

Chu Lai's 8,000 foot plank runway built back in 1965 was AM-2, as was the 860 foot or so long Sid's Strip/HMS Sheathbill in
the Falklands. They had to relay the runway several times, as it took them a while to figure out how to stabilize the sandy
(laterite?) soil. They'd pull up 4,000 feet and relay that while operating from the remaining 4,000 feet, then switch when
they'd finished the first half. The Marines apparently still have 3.8 million sq. ft. of the stuff stored at Futenma. The
full EAF packup kit, which includes lighting, fueling, etc.takes about 280 containers, and is normally distributed on three
MPS ships if thought necessary.

Guy

[Alan Minyard]

On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 15:12:24 +0500, > wrote:

>In article >, "Gary
>Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>> I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
>> used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas.
>
>Roger Hayes states in On Point that he used these as roofing material
>for his bunker as an infantryman in vietnam.

They were called "Marsten Matting" after the town in North Carolina
(IIRC) where they were first used. They were designed to interlock
with each other and formed reasonable, easily repaired runways. They
were extremely useful in the PTO as well as Italy.

Al Minyard

[Guy Alcala]

Alan Minyard wrote:

> On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 15:12:24 +0500, > wrote:
>
> >In article >, "Gary
> >Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote:
> >
> >> I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
> >> used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas.
> >
> >Roger Hayes states in On Point that he used these as roofing material
> >for his bunker as an infantryman in vietnam.
>
> They were called "Marsten Matting" after the town in North Carolina
> (IIRC) where they were first used. They were designed to interlock
> with each other and formed reasonable, easily repaired runways. They
> were extremely useful in the PTO as well as Italy.

Spelling quibble: "Marston".

Guy

[Gary Watson]

Thanks all for the info on the PSP. We are actually looking to buy some if
the $$$$ is right for northern Canada operations where concrete is too
expensive and gravel and fine sand are cheap.

GW


"Keith Willshaw" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Gary Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote in message
> . ca...
> > I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that
were/are
> > used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas. Also looking for a
> > source of approx 100,000 sq feet of the stuff if any is still around in
> > useable condition. Any pictures or data would be appreciated
> >
> > Gary W
> > /nospam
> >
> >
>
> http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/korea/psp.htm
> http://www.daveswarbirds.com/cactus/photo9.htm
>
> Its still available by the way, you can buy some at
>
> http://www.calumetindustries.com/lmats.html
>
> I've seen it used on construction sites for temporary roads
>
> Keith
>
>

[Kevin Brooks]

"Gary Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote in message >...
> Thanks all for the info on the PSP. We are actually looking to buy some if
> the $$$$ is right for northern Canada operations where concrete is too
> expensive and gravel and fine sand are cheap.

I would seriously look at geotextiles first. You can go with either a
geotextile mat under a gravel surface course, or the use of a
geotextile grid with sand/gravel fill. Both are easier to install,
require less transport costs, and easy to repair (when you try
replacing a few PSP panels in the middle of the mat, you will
understand what I mean <g>). They offer tremendous load carrying
capacity in comparison to their weight and construction effort, and
take better advantage of those "cheap" resources you mention. I
designed a stretch of roadway which used the geotex mat, and it was
installed by troops who had never before seen the stuff with little
difficulty. And the geotextiles are not that expensive
either--probably cheaper than buying a bunch of PSP and lugging it all
the way into northern Canada!

Brooks

>
> GW
>
>
> "Keith Willshaw" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Gary Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > . ca...
> > > I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that
> were/are
> > > used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas. Also looking for a
> > > source of approx 100,000 sq feet of the stuff if any is still around in
> > > useable condition. Any pictures or data would be appreciated
> > >
> > > Gary W
> > > /nospam

> > >
> > >
> >
> > http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/korea/psp.htm
> > http://www.daveswarbirds.com/cactus/photo9.htm
> >
> > Its still available by the way, you can buy some at
> >
> > http://www.calumetindustries.com/lmats.html
> >
> > I've seen it used on construction sites for temporary roads
> >
> > Keith
> >
> >

[Alan Minyard]

On Wed, 03 Sep 2003 00:51:29 GMT, Guy Alcala
> wrote:

>Alan Minyard wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 15:12:24 +0500, > wrote:
>>
>> >In article >, "Gary
>> >Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote:
>> >
>> >> I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that were/are
>> >> used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas.
>> >
>> >Roger Hayes states in On Point that he used these as roofing material
>> >for his bunker as an infantryman in vietnam.
>>
>> They were called "Marsten Matting" after the town in North Carolina
>> (IIRC) where they were first used. They were designed to interlock
>> with each other and formed reasonable, easily repaired runways. They
>> were extremely useful in the PTO as well as Italy.
>
>Spelling quibble: "Marston".
>
>Guy

Darn, I knew I was getting that wrong :-(

Al Minyard

[Gary Watson]

Thanks Kevin,

I have passed that info on to our engineers for him to peruse. Makes sense
to use a newer material if it is lighter and easier to use. I also sent you
aan email and applogize for spelling your name wrong in it :(

Gary


"Kevin Brooks" > wrote in message
om...
> "Gary Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote in message
>...
> > Thanks all for the info on the PSP. We are actually looking to buy some
if
> > the $$$$ is right for northern Canada operations where concrete is too
> > expensive and gravel and fine sand are cheap.
>
> I would seriously look at geotextiles first. You can go with either a
> geotextile mat under a gravel surface course, or the use of a
> geotextile grid with sand/gravel fill. Both are easier to install,
> require less transport costs, and easy to repair (when you try
> replacing a few PSP panels in the middle of the mat, you will
> understand what I mean <g>). They offer tremendous load carrying
> capacity in comparison to their weight and construction effort, and
> take better advantage of those "cheap" resources you mention. I
> designed a stretch of roadway which used the geotex mat, and it was
> installed by troops who had never before seen the stuff with little
> difficulty. And the geotextiles are not that expensive
> either--probably cheaper than buying a bunch of PSP and lugging it all
> the way into northern Canada!
>
> Brooks
>
> >
> > GW
> >
> >
> > "Keith Willshaw" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > > "Gary Watson" <cf104@ihate spam.shaw.ca> wrote in message
> > > . ca...
> > > > I am looking for some info on PSP (perforated Steel Plates - that
> > were/are
> > > > used for temporary runways, aprons and parking areas. Also looking
for a
> > > > source of approx 100,000 sq feet of the stuff if any is still around
in
> > > > useable condition. Any pictures or data would be appreciated
> > > >
> > > > Gary W
> > > > /nospam
>
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/korea/psp.htm
> > > http://www.daveswarbirds.com/cactus/photo9.htm
> > >
> > > Its still available by the way, you can buy some at
> > >
> > > http://www.calumetindustries.com/lmats.html
> > >
> > > I've seen it used on construction sites for temporary roads
> > >
> > > Keith
> > >
> > >