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 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.

Had a nice run with the Schnellboot Wiesel at the June 21,2026 meet of the Suncoast Scale Model Boat Club. First time back in the water after 15+ years in my display case. I was hoping for a little more speed but the boat ran well and looked good cutting the water. But then, don't all of the Schnellboot look good? Only issue was me letting it drift into some weeds while setting up my camera on the tripod. Most of the video was recorded at about 30 meters away but the decent zoom on the camera brought the boat in close. I hope you enjoy the video.

The club put on a display on at the Port Dover Museum. We had 5 tables & one brave soul ran his model in the river.

We had a good meet and a nice variety of boats. Getting hot as the temperature rose just over 90F. Very light breeze allowed the boats to settle in the water nicely. One member brought his Costeau boat Calypso for its first and sounds like its last water adventure. Howard decided it was too fragile to handle. It features lots of lights and he has worked out a way of using house power to keep the lights running while on the shelf for display. No issues with the boats this time. I guess the storm troopers (Dave and Greg?) kept everything under control. They all came back under their own power. Hope you enjoy the photos.
Lew

I need to stay off the internet, LOL
Noticed an ad for an Estate Sale. I went, I looked, and found (i.e. bought).
The Midwest Rowing Dinghy, Canadian Canoe, and Chesapeake Double Kayak are all nice boats.
They will look nice in a Diarama or just on display in my Home Office or Family Room.
I plan to do some work on the Cranberry Isle Lobster Yacht. It was not built/finished to run.
I'd like to open it up and put running gear and electronics in it to make it a working RC.
The front opens to access where the motor and electronics would go, but the rear is sealed tight with no access to attach a servo to the rudder.
Does anybody know where I could download the plans/instructions for this boat? I would like to see how the rear is constructed before attacking it.
Thanks for the help!
Dave B

Was invited to take my restored 1970s 12ft racing yacht (red and white one-93 at 1:3) down to put in the display this afternoon, at the Viaduct Event Center In Auckland, and decided to get some pics of the boats on and off water before the crowds come over the next 3 days. Lots of beautiful restored yachts and launches, as well as smaller racing and sailing dinghies. A couple of NZ designed and built Chris Craft copies inside as well. Also steam launches and a few models.

The boat at 1:54 and 3:12 does not have the usual V8 as you would expect, but has a 4 cyl Mercruiser motor, not as the drive motor, but as a generator running 3 high output alternators powering an electrical system for twin electric motors, (round black objects seen in pic, in front of petrol motor). Shafts run each side of petrol motor, Has large control boards on each side for each motor. Boat and laminated wooden trailer designed and built by the owner, Took 2000hrs to build,- absolutely immaculate workmanship.
Also a short vid on an Auckland ferry trip I took while waiting for the liner Queen Victoria to
depart
JB

Buxton Model Boat Club member Paul Brassington is an avid model submarine enthusiast. Here Paul displays his "Sinking Ship" at the Pavilion Gardens Buxton, causing shock and surprise to many spectators.
With a - `weigh, hey and up she rises !

Here's my scratch built model of a Gundalow. in their final iteration they were lateen rigged cargo hauling workhorses of the New Hampshire and Maine estuaries from the mid 1600's thru very early 1900. Flat bottomed with a very shallow draft that allowed sailing (or following the tides/currents) to ports upriver with needed supplies and returning with cargo of all types. My model is 50" in length. It is used as a display model for The Gundalow Company in Portsmouth, NH. I also use it with historical presentations I give to schools, historical societies and libraries. The model is fully functional. While not radio controlled it has the ability to float.

On Saturday 3rd June 2023 the Buxton Model Boat Club supported the Rotary Club Charity Bazaar by holding a model boat display on the Fountain Lake in the Pavilion Gardens Buxton.
https://model-boats.com/places/60518
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdsv9h3gn3DX2jwDgB4GQ0Q

Here we go again guys.
This is another model that Model Expo commissioned me to build because is a new model that they are selling and they need one for their model display showcase.
The name of this kit is “Artur”.
Artur is the most popular fishing vessel among Brazilian fishermen. Many are still active in Brazilian waters today.
Researching this vessel I found out that many other nations like Russia, Norway, and Switzerland also used it. This type of vessel was also used in WWII to fight against Hitler by carrying ammo for the French.
This kit has gone through many upgrades by Nauticurso (Brazilian model maker). The kit I built is their first version, so after researching I decided to replace or created many parts of my own.
It comes with the running hardware needed for full radio control operation. Instructions Model Shipways Inc. carefully translates manual into English containing many photos showing step-by-step assembly.
All pieces are laser cut Amazonian wood.
Length 25”
Scale 1:32
Guaranteed to bring lots of fun and challenging moments for newbies and experts.
Maybe you guys know more about this ship than me. If you have any information about this vessel, please share it, I will be very glad to hear it.
This is an old photo of the real ship; notice how it carries the lifeboats in the Pilots cabin deck.
I hope you guys like this model. It took me 6 months to finish it.

A couple of our members got to use a display pool last weekend Alligator tug boat & a 44 lifeboat small scale made with a laser printer That's it for me I can't download any thing & will not do any more Media Gallery