1/72 Scale Diorama Base – PSP Airfield (Marston Mat Runway)

Create an Authentic WWII Airfield Scene for Your Model Aircraft

Enhance your 1/72 scale aircraft display with this highly detailed PSP (Pierced Steel Planking) Airfield base, accurately replicating the famous Marston Mat runways used by Allied forces during World War II and beyond. Perfect for showcasing smaller American and Allied aircraft across all theaters of war, from the Pacific to Europe and Africa.

Kit Features:

✔ Realistic PSP Surface Texture – Captures the fine details of Marston Mat airfields
✔ Universal Compatibility – Suitable for USAAF, RAF, and Allied aircraft from WWII & later conflicts
✔ Bonus 3D Printable Accessories (Download Link Included):

• Fire extinguisher
• Wheel chocks
• Toolboxes
• Fuel barrels & British ‘flimsy’ fuel cans
• Wooden trestle

⚠ Please Note: Aircraft model kit not included.

Portable Runways That Changed the War

PSP (Pierced Steel Planking), commonly known as Marston Mat, revolutionized military airfield construction, allowing runways to be rapidly deployed in remote battle zones. Used extensively by US and Allied forces, PSP airfields supported operations in:
✈ The Pacific Islands – Built for fighters & bombers in the jungle and on coral atolls
✈ North Africa & Italy – Essential for moving air bases during the advance into Axis territory
✈ Normandy & Western Europe – Provided forward airstrips after D-Day
✈ Frozen Greenland & Arctic Convoys – Used in extreme environments

First tested in 1941 during the Carolina Maneuvers, PSP was hailed by General Hap Arnold as “the year’s greatest achievement in aviation warfare.” Its lightweight manganese steel panels, perforated for drainage, could be assembled into a full airstrip in just 72 hours—a critical advantage in fast-moving campaigns.