Midget submarine "Biber" (display model)

[DrSchmidt]

Before starting something bigger again I need something quick that I can build right ouf the box, well, 99% out of the box. So I went for the 1:35 scale "Biber" kit by Italeri that I found about 1 year ago. And I have to say, I love the kit. Nice details, good details, PE and two figures. Fun build.

I started off with the two halves of the hull and added two gauges left an right at about the height of the windows (like in the original). Fabricated from sprue and then connected with piping made from solder wire. The displays were made from left over decals from the kit. Primed in gray and the painted white gray.



The cockpit dashboard got additional, 3D-printed valves that were again connected with solder to simulate pipes. The seat was just painted and stained....





Then the hull was glued together with almost no seam or gap.






Then the rudder...and firts parts of one G7a torpedo.







The bilge keels, propeller axis and the dive plane....





Seams are filled and firts PE details are on the boat. This is the result of three days. I like it.....

[DrSchmidt]

In case someone should need references for the Biber cockpit....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4JuYbhLLPg

[DrSchmidt]

After the first steps being pretty easy and straight forward, the installation of the guide rails for the torpedos was a much more demanding task. Allot of little PE parts had to be bend in shape and glued in place. But with the markings on the hull, I got a decent result. Windows are in, cockpit roof is on, and some additional small parts found their place. Hull is getting ready for primer....

[DrSchmidt]

Primed the boat and gave it the Vallejo neutral gray base coat. Then I applied a gray filter and sealed everything with a gloss clear coat. Looks rather flat....



To make everything pop, I started accentuating details using gray, black, and white washes. Some ruts and oil staining to give a more real feel to everything and voila:



Next some dry brushing and then I'll leav it at that....torpedos, stand, name plate and done.

[DrSchmidt]

Finished the weathering of the Biber. I kept is subtle as the boats were not long lived and out of the water most of the time. Decided to go for the G7a Torpedoes as I just prefer the more complex tail fins. Painted the main body in Vallejo Metal Color steel and the warhead in machine gray. The detonator is 3D-printed as it just looks better than the ones out of the kit. The stands are printed as well and then everything was mounted on a mahogany-stained maple board. Type plate is printed and painted as well. I like it. Also put the two sailors of the kit together and started painting them. i hardly ever paint figures. For that it turned out O.K, so far...

[redboat219]

Good luck hitting something Lol

Crews need this https://youtu.be/h_IEk12RyZ8

[DrSchmidt]

Yeah...a bit cross-eyed.

[DrSchmidt]

Finished the build of this little boat and I had allot of doing it. Nice little kit and I highly recommend it although it's currently out of production. I painted the figures included with the kit, and I'm rather pleased with the outcome. I will never become a figure painter, but for this display it's more tan O.K.. The figures give a very good sense of size and as the Biber is being displayed in the same box as my XXIII, this also gives a good impression of size as well. So on to my next Project, the U.S.S. Discovery XD-1 from the famous movie 2001. So nothing to show here ...

[rwtdiver]

Excellent build Andreas!

Impeccable workmanship and skill, and the figures display very nicely with the Biber! Looking forward to your next build..

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat."

[DrSchmidt]

Thanks allot! As I said, the next project is a Sci Fi model and as this is a submarine forum, it's not suited for this audience ;-)

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Thanks allot! As I said, the next project is a Sci Fi model and as this is a submarine forum, it's not suited for this audience ;-)

With what you have to show/teach us, I'm sure Bob would make an exception.

David

[DrSchmidt]

I could give it a try...

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I could give it a try...

Please do, Doctor.

And, to prime the pump, I'm going to post some of my Science Fiction project to my 'Today's Work' thread. Let's see if that garners howls of protest, or indications of interest and appreciation.