diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
index 1c26c7dd1..284e237a0 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
@@ -3,11 +3,10 @@
 #include <typeinfo>
 #include <iostream>
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
-
 #include <components/esm/esmreader.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/esmwriter.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/loadnpc.hpp>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwworld/esmstore.hpp"
 #include "../mwworld/class.hpp"
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
index b5b4721c0..ff23844dd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 
 #include <iostream>
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 
 #include "movement.hpp"
 #include "npcstats.hpp"
@@ -33,6 +32,8 @@
 
 #include <components/settings/settings.hpp>
 
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
+
 #include "../mwrender/animation.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/combat.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/combat.cpp
index f11e6bcfd..a01dc7079 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/combat.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/combat.cpp
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 #include "combat.hpp"
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
-
 #include <components/misc/rng.hpp>
 
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
+
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/world.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/mechanicsmanager.hpp"
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
index 761c5ece9..e392b309b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
 
 #include <limits.h>
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
-
 #include <components/misc/rng.hpp>
 
 #include <components/esm/esmwriter.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/stolenitems.hpp>
 
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
+
 #include "../mwworld/esmstore.hpp"
 #include "../mwworld/inventorystore.hpp"
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/actor.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/actor.cpp
index 8cd0dfeb9..8438f26a3 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/actor.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/actor.cpp
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
 #include "actor.hpp"
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
-
 #include <BulletCollision/CollisionShapes/btCylinderShape.h>
 #include <BulletCollision/CollisionShapes/btBoxShape.h>
 #include <BulletCollision/CollisionDispatch/btCollisionWorld.h>
 
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 #include <components/resource/bulletshape.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwworld/class.hpp"
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
index 17014e162..1f59c5c99 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 #include <stdexcept>
 
 #include <osg/Group>
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 
 #include <BulletCollision/CollisionShapes/btHeightfieldTerrainShape.h>
 #include <BulletCollision/CollisionShapes/btConeShape.h>
@@ -22,6 +21,7 @@
 #include <components/resource/bulletshapemanager.hpp>
 
 #include <components/esm/loadgmst.hpp>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include <components/nifosg/particle.hpp> // FindRecIndexVisitor
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
index 6ef6fab23..d530c2c92 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 #include <components/sceneutil/util.hpp>
 #include <components/sceneutil/lightcontroller.hpp>
 #include <components/sceneutil/skeleton.hpp>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/world.hpp"
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/camera.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/camera.cpp
index 1d43cde43..88934414f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/camera.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/camera.cpp
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 #include "camera.hpp"
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 #include <osg/Camera>
 
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
+
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/windowmanager.hpp"
 
@@ -378,7 +379,7 @@ namespace MWRender
         else
         {
             mAnimation->setViewMode(NpcAnimation::VM_Normal);
-            osg::PositionAttitudeTransform* transform = mTrackingPtr.getRefData().getBaseNode();
+            SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform* transform = mTrackingPtr.getRefData().getBaseNode();
             mTrackingNode = transform;
             if (transform)
                 mHeightScale = transform->getScale().z();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/characterpreview.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/characterpreview.hpp
index 32c1850c6..2b7984b00 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/characterpreview.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/characterpreview.hpp
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 #include <osg/ref_ptr>
 #include <memory>
 
+#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
+
 #include <components/esm/loadnpc.hpp>
 
 #include <components/resource/resourcesystem.hpp>
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/creatureanimation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/creatureanimation.cpp
index f46736a39..7c447182f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/creatureanimation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/creatureanimation.cpp
@@ -2,12 +2,11 @@
 
 #include <components/esm/loadcrea.hpp>
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
-
 #include <components/resource/resourcesystem.hpp>
 #include <components/resource/scenemanager.hpp>
 #include <components/sceneutil/attach.hpp>
 #include <components/sceneutil/visitor.hpp>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwbase/world.hpp"
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.cpp
index 40cbb6511..d612824e2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/objects.cpp
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 
 #include <osg/Group>
 #include <osg/Geode>
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 #include <osg/UserDataContainer>
 #include <osg/Version>
 
@@ -14,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <components/resource/scenemanager.hpp>
 
 #include <components/sceneutil/visitor.hpp>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 #include "../mwworld/class.hpp"
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ void Objects::insertBegin(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr)
     else
         cellnode = found->second;
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::PositionAttitudeTransform> insert (new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform);
+    osg::ref_ptr<SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform> insert (new SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform);
     cellnode->addChild(insert);
 
     insert->getOrCreateUserDataContainer()->addUserObject(new PtrHolder(ptr));
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
index c55d11795..f6403a925 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 #include <osg/Fog>
 #include <osg/PolygonMode>
 #include <osg/Group>
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 #include <osg/UserDataContainer>
 #include <osg/ComputeBoundsVisitor>
 
@@ -26,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <components/sceneutil/util.hpp>
 #include <components/sceneutil/lightmanager.hpp>
 #include <components/sceneutil/statesetupdater.hpp>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include <components/terrain/terraingrid.hpp>
 
@@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ namespace MWRender
     {
         if (!mPlayerNode)
         {
-            mPlayerNode = new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform;
+            mPlayerNode = new SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform;
             mPlayerNode->setNodeMask(Mask_Player);
             mLightRoot->addChild(mPlayerNode);
         }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
index 3e17ef413..203df2269 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ namespace MWRender
         std::auto_ptr<SkyManager> mSky;
         std::auto_ptr<EffectManager> mEffectManager;
         std::auto_ptr<NpcAnimation> mPlayerAnimation;
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::PositionAttitudeTransform> mPlayerNode;
+        osg::ref_ptr<SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform> mPlayerNode;
         std::auto_ptr<Camera> mCamera;
 
         osg::ref_ptr<StateUpdater> mStateUpdater;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/ripplesimulation.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/ripplesimulation.hpp
index 1717cca57..17d5fea15 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/ripplesimulation.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/ripplesimulation.hpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 namespace osg
 {
     class Group;
+    class PositionAttitudeTransform;
 }
 
 namespace osgParticle
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/transformationextensions.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/transformationextensions.cpp
index f65035226..592168687 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/transformationextensions.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/transformationextensions.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #include <iostream>
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include <components/esm/loadcell.hpp>
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/projectilemanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/projectilemanager.hpp
index 0aa2efded..22fc4784c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/projectilemanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/projectilemanager.hpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <string>
 
 #include <osg/ref_ptr>
+#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 
 #include <components/esm/effectlist.hpp>
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/refdata.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/refdata.cpp
index 87cbc586f..8acba43df 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/refdata.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/refdata.cpp
@@ -108,12 +108,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
         {}
     }
 
-    void RefData::setBaseNode(osg::PositionAttitudeTransform *base)
+    void RefData::setBaseNode(SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform *base)
     {
         mBaseNode = base;
     }
 
-    osg::PositionAttitudeTransform* RefData::getBaseNode()
+    SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform* RefData::getBaseNode()
     {
         return mBaseNode;
     }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/refdata.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/refdata.hpp
index 13a71ec33..6713334d7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/refdata.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/refdata.hpp
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 #include <osg/Vec3f>
 
-namespace osg
+namespace SceneUtil
 {
     class PositionAttitudeTransform;
 }
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
     class RefData
     {
-            osg::PositionAttitudeTransform* mBaseNode;
+            SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform* mBaseNode;
 
             MWScript::Locals mLocals;
 
@@ -69,10 +69,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
             RefData& operator= (const RefData& refData);
 
             /// Return base node (can be a null pointer).
-            osg::PositionAttitudeTransform* getBaseNode();
+            SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform* getBaseNode();
 
             /// Set base node (can be a null pointer).
-            void setBaseNode (osg::PositionAttitudeTransform* base);
+            void setBaseNode (SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform* base);
 
             int getCount() const;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index b1234c8a4..d6480b146 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 
 #include <osg/Group>
 #include <osg/ComputeBoundsVisitor>
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 
 #include <components/esm/esmreader.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/esmwriter.hpp>
@@ -22,6 +21,8 @@
 #include <components/misc/resourcehelpers.hpp>
 #include <components/resource/resourcesystem.hpp>
 
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
+
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/soundmanager.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/mechanicsmanager.hpp"
diff --git a/components/CMakeLists.txt b/components/CMakeLists.txt
index b7865cb8a..c80e27e4d 100644
--- a/components/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/components/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ add_component_dir (resource
     )
 
 add_component_dir (sceneutil
-    clone attach lightmanager visitor util statesetupdater controller skeleton riggeometry lightcontroller
+    clone attach lightmanager visitor util statesetupdater controller skeleton riggeometry lightcontroller positionattitudetransform
     # not used yet
     #workqueue
     )
diff --git a/components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.cpp b/components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5f6b57e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#include "positionattitudetransform.hpp"
+
+#include <iostream>
+
+namespace SceneUtil
+{
+
+PositionAttitudeTransform::PositionAttitudeTransform():
+    _scale(1.0,1.0,1.0)
+{
+}
+
+bool PositionAttitudeTransform::computeLocalToWorldMatrix(osg::Matrix& matrix, osg::NodeVisitor*) const
+{
+    if (_referenceFrame==RELATIVE_RF)
+    {
+        matrix.preMultTranslate(_position);
+        matrix.preMultRotate(_attitude);
+        matrix.preMultScale(_scale);
+    }
+    else // absolute
+    {
+        matrix.makeRotate(_attitude);
+        matrix.postMultTranslate(_position);
+        matrix.preMultScale(_scale);
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+
+
+bool PositionAttitudeTransform::computeWorldToLocalMatrix(osg::Matrix& matrix, osg::NodeVisitor*) const
+{
+    if (_scale.x() == 0.0 || _scale.y() == 0.0 || _scale.z() == 0.0)
+        return false;
+
+    if (_referenceFrame==RELATIVE_RF)
+    {
+        matrix.postMultTranslate(-_position);
+        matrix.postMultRotate(_attitude.inverse());
+        matrix.postMultScale(osg::Vec3f(1.0/_scale.x(), 1.0/_scale.y(), 1.0/_scale.z()));
+    }
+    else // absolute
+    {
+        matrix.makeRotate(_attitude.inverse());
+        matrix.preMultTranslate(-_position);
+        matrix.postMultScale(osg::Vec3f(1.0/_scale.x(), 1.0/_scale.y(), 1.0/_scale.z()));
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp b/components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b6f92ee84
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+#ifndef OPENMW_COMPONENTS_POSITIONATTITUDE_TRANSFORM_H
+#define OPENMW_COMPONENTS_POSITIONATTITUDE_TRANSFORM_H
+
+#include <osg/Transform>
+
+namespace SceneUtil
+{
+
+/// @brief A customized version of osg::PositionAttitudeTransform optimized for speed.
+/// Uses single precision values. Also removed _pivotPoint which we don't need.
+class PositionAttitudeTransform : public osg::Transform
+{
+    public :
+        PositionAttitudeTransform();
+
+        PositionAttitudeTransform(const PositionAttitudeTransform& pat,const osg::CopyOp& copyop=osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY):
+            Transform(pat,copyop),
+            _position(pat._position),
+            _attitude(pat._attitude),
+            _scale(pat._scale){}
+
+
+        META_Node(SceneUtil, PositionAttitudeTransform)
+
+        inline void setPosition(const osg::Vec3f& pos) { _position = pos; dirtyBound(); }
+        inline const osg::Vec3f& getPosition() const { return _position; }
+
+
+        inline void setAttitude(const osg::Quat& quat) { _attitude = quat; dirtyBound(); }
+        inline const osg::Quat& getAttitude() const { return _attitude; }
+
+
+        inline void setScale(const osg::Vec3f& scale) { _scale = scale; dirtyBound(); }
+        inline const osg::Vec3f& getScale() const { return _scale; }
+
+
+
+        virtual bool computeLocalToWorldMatrix(osg::Matrix& matrix,osg::NodeVisitor* nv) const;
+        virtual bool computeWorldToLocalMatrix(osg::Matrix& matrix,osg::NodeVisitor* nv) const;
+
+
+    protected :
+
+        virtual ~PositionAttitudeTransform() {}
+
+        osg::Vec3f _position;
+        osg::Quat _attitude;
+        osg::Vec3f _scale;
+};
+
+}
+
+#endif
diff --git a/components/terrain/terraingrid.cpp b/components/terrain/terraingrid.cpp
index ceb39a24b..aa82e0bd6 100644
--- a/components/terrain/terraingrid.cpp
+++ b/components/terrain/terraingrid.cpp
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
 #include <components/resource/texturemanager.hpp>
 
 #include <components/sceneutil/lightmanager.hpp>
+#include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include <components/esm/loadland.hpp>
 
-#include <osg/PositionAttitudeTransform>
 #include <osg/Geometry>
 #include <osg/Geode>
 #include <osg/KdTree>
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> TerrainGrid::buildTerrain (osg::Group* parent, float chu
             return NULL; // no terrain defined
 
         osg::Vec2f worldCenter = chunkCenter*mStorage->getCellWorldSize();
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::PositionAttitudeTransform> transform (new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform);
+        osg::ref_ptr<SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform> transform (new SceneUtil::PositionAttitudeTransform);
         transform->setPosition(osg::Vec3f(worldCenter.x(), worldCenter.y(), 0.f));
 
         if (parent)