Marsden/Marsten Matting project

[Voss]

I'm looking to make 'Marsten Matting' for some upcoming graphics work, but I've run into some difficulty. I'd like to know if anyone has any good photographs of this stuff in use.

From the included image you can see the stuff under this P-38, which indicates the matting was put into place offset from one another. That's obviously how it goes together, but the question is how exactly do the sections go together?

I doubt I'm going to find the answer without finding some matting in use (difficult). We have this some of this stuff at the airfield under our supply trailer, but it's been ripped up long ago and is so distorted you can't make sense of what is left.

I would love to hear from anyone that has the answer.

[Voss]

The texture is going to change

[Bonden]

It was a long time ago, (37 years), but I took a short course with this stuff in AIT combat engineer training. I believe it was PIP, (pierced iron planking) and/or PSP (steel), PAP (aluminum).  Three or four guys would line the tabs up so they would interlock while another would bang the end with a large hammer.  Was a real pain to assemble but once down it was like a road.

Unless the ends could be fastened securely to one another, I am pretty sure the joints were staggered, like shingles on a roof, so the whole project became one piece; but what I remember the most was gettin really mad at the guy with the hammer -  he would rush a bit, causing delay - and the vibration when the hammer struck.  

I kept pretty comprehensive notes on this training - if I can find them (unlikely), will respond further.  I know some people that may use this in construction jobs - will ask further of them...

Good luck -
 

[Voss]

Thank you! Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.

[VWE001]

http://www.harvestsite.com/calumet/psp.htm

[Voss]

Thanks! I wrote them last week, as I did not see any hint as to how the ends go together (the real mystery I suppose).

I didn't find the image you included, though, and that has helped a great deal. Thanks again!:)

[VWE001]

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/korea/psp.htm

Link to U.S. Airforce museum where I found this... I always knew this stuff as pierced steel planking and all I did was a seach using those words on Yahoo.

[Voss]

Yes, I did the same on Google, but never saw the USAFM link.

I found numerous links to images, and found different names from various military units worldwide. It's amazing the number of uses this material is applied to even today.

Heh, I even found a story where a guy into R/C was complaining that an old Marsten Mat Heli-pad was causing interference at their local field.

I also found the address for the original manufacturer. I'm still pondering whether I should contact them, or not.