PSP

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

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

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.

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

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

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

"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

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

"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

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