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.

Well, after the lovely reception of my HMCS Snowberry - which has been in the wars after a collision, now repaired and upgraded - now with a smoker and lighting - I chanced upon another 1/72 Revell Corvette, so taking everything I had learned in making Snowberry, I thought I would apply myself and see what I could do for a sister ship - the part-built kit - an eBay find - came with a few options for the decals, one of which was HMS Campanula, so the task was set!

Campanula has some differences to Snowberry, a diferent radar tower, different bridge supports - 2 x beams instead of 3 - different layout to the carley floats, an extra flagstaff on the funnel and a diferent bandstand edging for the rear pompom, so some scratchbuilding to fashion the diferences, as well as replacing a few missing parts.

The pics show it as it arrived, then the scratchbuilt carley float supports, the whaleboat runout on the davits, the bandstand alteration, the upgraded front gun, flota nets, navi and interior lights and an overview of the progress...

I am hoping to have her finished this week, and the crew painted and affixed, ready for her maiden voyage at Bury Lido next Sunday, fingers crossed!

Anyhows, hope you like her!

I visited the Yamato museum in Kure, Japan, to photograph the 1/10 model on display there. The museum was built around the model, which is 86 feet long.

In addition to the 1/10 Yamato, the museum features an entire wall of 1/100 models of every IJN warship class from WWII, as well as a second gallery housing full-size artifacts from the war, including a fully-restored Mitsubishi A6M "Zero", and a type 93 "Long Lance" torpedo.

HMS Flirt, built by Palmers of Tyneside in 1897. It was a C class aka Star class three funnel 30 knot destroyer. Twin reciprocating steam engines.
The model is 1/72 scale, 3ft long. I have some figures to stick on yet as well as the torpedo davits and the ship's boats.
The model has twin electric motors and is controlled by a Flysky 10 channel radio. The motors can be run synchronized or independent, selected with one of the switches. The left knob rotates the forward gun and the other knob rotates the torpedo tubes.
The model is entirely scratch built. Fiberglass sheathing balsa for the hull. The funnels and cowl vent are 3d printed to my files. I now have a 3d printer which I'm sure will make many fitting for future models.

Two scratch-built model warships meet at the San Diego Model Yacht Pond.

Scratch-built model warship at the San Diego Model Yacht Pond.

Scratch-built model warship at the San Diego Model Yacht Pond.

Good Morning Gang:
Thought you'd like this as it made me think of my (still to be be fully completed) freighter "Pacific Trader."
I found this large and very nice piece on the floor in a nice little antique store yesterday. We don't often see freighters depicted in such a fashion; it's an original too. It depicts the MS Finnforest.

So did a bit of research and found out that she was completed: in 1963 by the Emden, Rheinstahl Nordseewerke G.m.b.H. Shipyard

Weights and dimensions: 9 674 / 7 610 DWT, 6 500 BHP, 139.72 x 18.74 x 8.34 / 7.29 m.

Her tabular records are listed as...
1963.6.28: FINNFOREST, homeport Kotka. Enso-Gutzeit Oy, Kotka (Finnlines). Finland - USEC service. 1968.8.23: lengthening completed by Rheinstahl Nordseewerke: 11 510 / 8 190 DWT, 152.32 x 18.74 x 8.58 / 7.11. 1973: Chartered to Atlantic Gulf Service Ab Göteborg. 1976.12 Charted completed.
1978.9.6: BRADEVERETT, Everett-Orient Line Inc (Everett Steamship Corp S.A. Tokyo), Monrovia.
1988.5.24: demolished Kaohsiung, China

The Confederation Marine model club put on a static show Saturday & Sunday.Rain all day Saturday, so I could not visit the small ship that is a replica of 1813 Hamilton sloop that sank along with the Scouge Aug.18 1813 Club had a good turnout of members.

IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
Rare Vintage Japanese Kit – Long Out of Production

This model was built from the highly regarded IMAI No. B-296 CHEBEC kit in 1/80 scale. Produced in Japan many years ago and now long out of production, this kit is considered one of IMAI's finest offerings and has become a rare collector's item.

IMAI was famous for the exceptional quality of its molds and engineering. Although this is a plastic kit, the parts were molded with such precision and detail that they convincingly reproduce the appearance of a finely crafted wooden ship model.

The Chebec (or Xebec) was a fast and elegant Mediterranean vessel used extensively by Barbary corsairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sleek hull, pronounced overhangs, and distinctive lateen rig make it one of the most beautiful and exotic sailing ships ever designed.

This model is fully rigged and armed with:
• 20 deck-mounted cannons
• 20 swivel guns
• Detailed anchors, yards, spars, and standing and running rigging

One of the most striking features of the kit is the elaborate decorative carving along the port and starboard bulwarks and across the stern. To highlight these intricate ornaments, I carefully hand-painted every detail using my finest brushes.

The flags were custom made from the lead foil wrappers found around wine bottle corks. After flattening the material, I hand-painted the Algerian corsair designs and shaped them to appear as if they were fluttering in the wind, adding a dramatic and highly realistic touch to the finished model.

Additional features include:
• Ship's boat mounted amidships
• Ornamental stern gallery with gilded relief work
• Open deck grating and finely detailed deck furniture
• Hand-painted decorative motifs throughout

Even after many years, this remains one of my favorite builds. The combination of IMAI's superb engineering and the unique character of the historic Chebec resulted in a model that captures the grace, power, and mystery of the legendary Mediterranean corsair vessels.

On the weekend Confederation Marine Modellers held a warship regatta at the Burlington pool at Spencer's.I use my IPhone to video & it's a technique I can't seem to master.