Verlinden 1/35 Scale "Biber" German WWII Mini Submarine
The Biber – A World War II Miniature Diorama
The German *Biber* was a one-man midget submarine developed in 1944 for attacks against Allied shipping.
Armed with two externally mounted torpedoes, this tiny vessel represented Germany’s desperate attempt to counter Allied naval superiority during the final years of World War II.
This 1:35-scale Verlinden Productions model was commissioned by a gentleman fascinated by German submarines.
My goal was to go beyond building the submarine itself and create a complete, convincing scene around it.
The diorama brings the setting to life through carefully crafted cobblestone paving, weathered stone dock walls, rust-stained fittings, aged wooden details, and realistically textured harbor water.
The addition of German personnel studying their maps, stacked supply crates, dockside equipment, and a period-style streetlamp gives the scene depth and a sense of activity.
The wooden display base and clear protective cover complete the presentation.
For me, the real challenge was transforming a scale model into a miniature historical setting, where the textures, weathering, accessories, and composition work together to tell a story.
Every detail contributes to the atmosphere, making the Biber more than a submarine model—it becomes a small scene from a turbulent chapter of naval history.
I like the look of your Catalina, Doug, do you fly her and if so do you fly her from land or water, being an amphibian? I have a hankering for a seaplane just to run around the lake, not flying, but whether I'll get round to it now, I don't know.
I saw a Catalina at an airshow, years ago and was surprised what a big plane she was and I had a distant American relative who was an airgunner on one in the Korean war.
Built by Buxton Model Boat Club member Adrian , he says :- "essentially the paddle boat is scratch built but uses some fittings and materials from a Disar "Vanguard" kit ".
Adrian used drawings of "Flying Scotsman" for inspiration, but is not a faithful reproduction, although "Old Trafford" is also quite similar .
This was the maiden voyage so plenty more work to be done on detail and ballast etc.as the boat still sits a bit low in the water.
For reference see :- http://tynetugs.co.uk/ http://www.tynetugs.co.uk/oldtrafford...
Ever felt sorry for those Philipino static models you see all over the place? Well I did and bought this launch from a charity shop in Didcot for a fiver. I reckoned that the fittings were worth that even if the change to working model failed. Fortunately, the model floated about right as it was and I managed to save a lot of weight to allow for the added weight of motor/batteries/ rc gear etc.
The project has not been without its problems but it should be finished and ready to maiden within a couple of weeks. Not sure that I would do this again but it has been interesting......... I intend to mount it on a boat trailer rather than a stand. Report more when she is launched.
This is my first scratch build. I used hand tools and a jig saw to cut out the frame. and bulk heads. Keel and frame was cut out of plywood and the rest. of the boat is balsa. I out fitted with parts from various pieces I had pick up at hobby shops and suppliers online. The pilot house, stack and skylight is all hand made with wood and polystyrene fittings.
I downloaded the plans, altered the scale size and printed the hull and boat to scale. Again this was the first and I now am looking forward to another project.
That's a great looking model for your first scratch build - especially as you changed the size . Good planking job on the hull as well as the superstructure & detailing. You should post a build blog for your next project - would follow that
A couple of shots taken at Dovercourt in September 2016. I was visiting and so am not able to tell you anything of the boats or skippers. Dovercourt is a salt water pond and plays havoc with switches and brass fittings.
Geof L.
here is my Robbe Sirius, the Stock maritime tuned version.
I traded an iphone 5c for this model.
it was in a used state without any working electronics.
Completely removed all electronics, stickers and rigg and started with sanding.
resprayed the hull in oyster 'pearl metalic' and started building up with new fittings , electronics etc
Sails like a beauty !
I recently bought this boat as a part built project. it was started by the previous owner in 1973 but then put in the attic in 1974 and stayed there till this year. Sadly many of the plastic parts have become very brittle or are missing so having to source replacements plus the fittings were made to british standards and are now made in metric sizes, but getting there slowly
Scratch built from a 1975 free plan, hull is balsa frames sheeted with basswood and covered with 3/4 oz fibreglass cloth, superstructure is styrene sheet, missile launcher from balsa block, forward bofors torpedo launcher from styrene sheet and wood dowl, photo etch ladders, white metal handrail stanchions, other fittings are brass and resin, lw-02 radar and directors are from shape ways rudders and stabilizers are balsa block, you get the idea.
A very nice execution of the old Model Boats free plan. I still have those plans (somewhat tatty after all these years) as well as the MB magazine they came with. How does she sail? Best regards, Glyn
Many thanks for your kind words, I've not sailed her yet, only test tank and had to up the water line a little bit for more stability, I also scaled up the plans to true 1/96 as the plan is around 1/100, the 1/96 fittings I bought from fleetscale were out of scale to the plan, and using the 1.1 water line length noted in the magazine article.
Hi.all.new to.my.fleet is this lovely 42"x11 tug called Amsterdam. I' am going to put her back to original and use her for towing. But before I start the over hall. I need some help people can't find this kit Any where all the ones I van find are pvc hull and thus one is full wood plank hull and and top and all the fittings are.led.and.brass. So want to no.the.age make and any other info someone has.to make.her.right
I have only just stumbled upon this.
Your superb attention to detail makes a very impressive diorama of an unusual subject that looks really good in 1/35 scale.
The figure painting is good too , something my son is good at, but I never mastered.
Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
Bob.