3/32 Scale Model, Hinged and Linked Pair of 6x30 Pontoon Barges
notes: label: Description
content: Individual wood models covered in Edge Artist Board cardstock with black ink markings to resemble a 6x30 Navy Landing Pontoon barge. Two identical models are then connected using small pieces of plastic and thumbtacks to create a folding model.
label: Description
content: This model likely dates from 1942-1943. According to an interview of Captain John N. Laycock, CEC, USN, from May 1944, he began experimenting in the late summer of 1942 on the idea of pontoon landing fields. He created drawings and a cardboard model of four pontoon barges that could be folded together for towing to a remote destination and then unfolded for use. Following the August 1943 Quebec Conference, British Lord Louis Mountbatten approached Laycock and asked him about the feasibility of a pontoon landing field. Laycock explained what was possible and days later was called upon by Professor John D. Bernal, one of Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s scientific advisors. Laycock demonstrated his cardboard model to Bernal who remarked “Undoubtedly the Prime Minister will want to see this.” Laycock noted that he had to receive authorization in order to meet the Prime Minister.
label: Description
content: Days later, Laycock received word that the White House had been trying to find him. He reported this to Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, commander of the Navy's Bureau of Yards and Docks (BuDocks), and shortly thereafter a British general (name unknown) called on Laycock to bring his cardboard model and drawings to see the Prime Minister. Laycock insisted on receiving formal approval from someone in the U.S. Navy’s Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and provided the name of Admiral Oscar C. Badger, who, according to the general, granted permission. At some point then in late August 1943, Laycock went to the White House and was taken into Churchill’s bedroom to brief the
label: Description
content: Prime Minister about his pontoon models. With Churchill in bed, Laycock laid the models out on the bedspread and explained how they worked. The Prime Minister asked Laycock for estimates on the number of required pontoons to construct a floating pontoon airfield. In the ensuing months, BuDocks actually did construct a floating airfield in “Project Sock.” The field came together in Narragansett Bay and measured 1,800 feet long by 175 feet wide, with additional parking space measuring 50 feet wide connected by bridges to the primary runway. Aircraft actually did manage to safely land and take off from the airfield, but operations in anything beyond calm water proved the field woefully impractical and dangerous.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Military and Society: Armed Forces History, Naval
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Mildred Cole Laycock
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2019.0105.14
label: catalog number
content: 2019.0105.14
label: accession number
content: 2019.0105
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Model
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: wood, cardboard, plastic, steel (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall, folded: 16 5/8 in x 4 1/16 in x 1 in; 42.2275 cm x 10.31875 cm x 2.54 cm
label: Measurements
content: overall, unfolded: 16 5/8 in x 8 5/16 in x 1 in; 42.2275 cm x 21.11375 cm x 2.54 cm