Japanese Airfields, Equipment & more #33 - revised

Airfields - "Tetsuban"

A not very well-known IJNAF airfield detail is that in 1942 a part of the Lakunai (East) Airfield in Rabaul was covered with "tetsuban" (iron planks), which was similar to the "Marston Mat" but with significant differences. This was to help with the unfavorable quality of the soil in many Pacific Islands, providing a firmer ground for takeoff and landing. Unfortunately for the Japanese, when a few bombs hit the "tetsuban"-covered area it became very difficult to replace the material since the transportation of iron planks from mainland Japan became erratic. As far as is known the experiment was not repeated on any other airfield.
According to our good friend Sakaida Yoji who visited the area, "tetsuban" iron planks can still be found and are used by the locals.
There is a good number of photos featuring Zeros and other IJNAF aircraft operating from the "tetsuban"-covered Rabaul East airfield.