Universal Military Pod with M8A1 US Landing Mat

Plastic kit for a U.S. transport container and M8A1 airfield mats

• Scale 1:35
• Large transport container with interior, can be attached to a helicopter or detached, doors open or closed
• M8A1 airfield mats 210 x 336 mm
• Not built, not painted
• Paint and glue not included

To expand the transport capabilities of the CH-54, a special container was developed - a kind of transport capsule for transporting infantry, wounded or military equipment. The containers had windows, doors and a ramp in the rear area, which made it possible to transport military equipment such as guns or light vehicles in them if necessary. Such versatile containers could even be used for parachuting by soldiers. A total of 22 containers were built, each with its own military registration number.

The M8A1 steel plates developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers were mainly used for the rapid construction of temporary runways. These panels were used extensively during the Vietnam War in the late 1960s and early 1970s, particularly by Army Aviation for basing helicopters, light attack aircraft and surveillance aircraft. They appear frequently in photographs from the period. Each panel, measuring 3660 x 560 mm, featured a hard, ridged surface that allowed effective rainwater drainage. The US Army's engineering units were responsible for installation. The panels could be connected in a staggered pattern or in a row, allowing the construction of both smaller sites and large airfields.