There are several bases for aircraft that have been rather heavily reproduced over the years. One is the Luftwaffe wooden plank one (a feature that was not at all common, but you see it all the time), various aircraft carrier deck designs, and the PSP or Pierced Steel Plank. This latter one has probably more actual uses than the other two combined for they were used not only in WWII but also in Korea and Vietnam. Many smaller fields in less developed parts of the world still use this material on smaller fields that get the occasional heavy aircraft coming into them.

This one from Flying Fish Models is in 1/72 and covers the earlier version as used in WWII and Korea. The review sample was sprayed two colors over the base. The middle bit is in a sort of weathered steel while that towards the edge is very much rust coated. It shows what it can look with these colors painted on. The base itself is about 165 x 175 mm and really should be put into a frame to keep it from warping over time. The detailing is superb and what is really nice is that the joins are not totally flat. The real stuff always had a bit of a 'hump' there and this is faithfully reproduced.

A very nice addition to any model display.

May 2006

My thanks to Flying Fish Models for the review sample. You can get these direct.

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