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MT tracks
- Cador1
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23 Mar 2023 09:46 #1
by Cador1
MT tracks was created by Cador1
Hello,
I saw on many plans of airfields, or in books, the mention of "MT tracks". Was does it means? Maintenance?
Thx,
JMC
I saw on many plans of airfields, or in books, the mention of "MT tracks". Was does it means? Maintenance?
Thx,
JMC
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- Peter Kirk
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23 Mar 2023 15:44 #2
by Peter Kirk
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic MT tracks
I believe that the original perimeter tracks around airfields were for MT (Motor Transport) only, and not aircraft.
Aircraft taxi tracks only became important, and wider, when hard runways were added and the grass ceased to be used for taxiing. A look at grass airfields in the early war shows many hardstands outside the MT track had entry points inside the MT track to transit from grass to concrete. I can't recall the widths of the early MT tracks so hopefully someone will know.
Did aircraft ever land on the MT perimeter tracks? I know one ATA pilot frequently used perimeter tracks to land single seat fighters so she didn't get her shoes muddy but I don't know if this on MT versions.
Aircraft taxi tracks only became important, and wider, when hard runways were added and the grass ceased to be used for taxiing. A look at grass airfields in the early war shows many hardstands outside the MT track had entry points inside the MT track to transit from grass to concrete. I can't recall the widths of the early MT tracks so hopefully someone will know.
Did aircraft ever land on the MT perimeter tracks? I know one ATA pilot frequently used perimeter tracks to land single seat fighters so she didn't get her shoes muddy but I don't know if this on MT versions.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
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23 Mar 2023 18:10 #3
by Cador1
Replied by Cador1 on topic MT tracks
Thx,
I saw on advanced landing grounds airfields maps in Normandy, MT tracks and ... perimeter Tracks....
so MT was for trucks, and perimeter a taxiway for planes?
I saw on advanced landing grounds airfields maps in Normandy, MT tracks and ... perimeter Tracks....
so MT was for trucks, and perimeter a taxiway for planes?
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23 Mar 2023 20:00 #4
by Peter Kirk
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic MT tracks
I don't know about ALGs but on pre war grass aerodromes the perimeter tracks, when laid, were only for vehicles to get around - at least that was my understanding. There were no aircraft perimeter tracks at that time.
Hopefully someone can confirm or deny this as my memory regarding airfields is a bit vague these days.
Hopefully someone can confirm or deny this as my memory regarding airfields is a bit vague these days.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
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25 Mar 2023 18:59 - 25 Mar 2023 19:18 #5
by TerryClark
Replied by TerryClark on topic MT tracks
Standard taxiways are 45ft/15m wide but peri tracks like White Waltham are a lot narrower.
As for landing on peri tracks, well you need only look as far as Redhill for an example of this; the southern taxiway is designated as an 'unlicensed' runway 06/24 (although the local authority are opposed to it).
Dimensions are not published as it is unlicensed but it looks to be about 350m x 8m - I've watched a Dove and an Aztec land on it.
As for landing on peri tracks, well you need only look as far as Redhill for an example of this; the southern taxiway is designated as an 'unlicensed' runway 06/24 (although the local authority are opposed to it).
Dimensions are not published as it is unlicensed but it looks to be about 350m x 8m - I've watched a Dove and an Aztec land on it.
Last edit: 25 Mar 2023 19:18 by TerryClark.
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