This is sort of a continuation of the Biber I built for Dive 3. I had the Italeri Long dock in the loft, and have acquired the U Models biber Trailer.

As I don't quite know where this is going, in terms of content I am posting the build here.

The components.

The Biber, the dock & the trailer



The Biber sat on the trailer bed on the dock.



The contents of the trailer kit.



and the contents of the dock kit.

.

Step one will be build the basic dock.

More soon

Si

Hello Simon!!
That good choice!! I will be attentive to your advances!!

Regards Daniel

Thanks for Looking in Daniel,

Once I get how much room the Biber on the trailer take I will see where it is going noext.

Si

Nothing of thanking!! I like to see good works!! This scale and the chosen set lends for many inventiveness. You can combine figures and vehicles, inclusive a Flack AAA ... ufffff that potential!!!!..... encourage friend Simon !!!!

Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Bags of potential, vehicle almost certainly. Flak emplacement, there is an idea, dockside crane maybe, certainly some figures and some clutter.

Much to think about.

Si

Hello Simon, lots of potential. CMK makes a resin steam crane that might interest you. It's kinda pricey, but looks good.



Looking forward to seeing where this project takes you. Al

Go for it Simon,
this will be a great project to follow
Julian

Hi Al, nice looking crane. would depend on price and availability, thanks for sharing it.

Julian, thanks for the support. Will certainly be a journey and I hope interesting.

Si

work started on the Dock.

The two top pieces joined with a wall test fitted.



The base completed, with the biber sat on top.



Looking at the size of the dock, I don't think a prime mover for the Biber / trailer combination will work, will be too big, unless I get another section with steps. Might go for a Flack post and a small vehicle, either allied, as in newly captured, or German. don't know yet. Going to the Hendon Model Show next Sunday, so might find some stuff / Inspiration there.

Si

That is a huge piece of real estate you conjured out of the Italeri box. Are you adding the piece of dock with the steps too Simon?
Julian

Hi Julian, considering it, I am looking at suitable vehicle and figures, both in my stash and as purchases to see what will work in the way of a balanced overall scene.

Will post here when I have made up my mind.

Going to the Hendon Model show next Sunday, so traders there might give me some different inspiration.

Si

Where did you get the dock kit Si?

I agree that any kind of sizable crane will be pushing the limits of your base, and would take careful planning to balance properly. It can be done if you are set on it, and we will be more than happy to provide feedback during the course if you choose to take that option.
That said, I think that if you want your Biber to be the focal point you will want a smaller vehicle on top of the base. A mobile flak mounted on a small vehicle would be a great choice, placing it towards one of the far ends of the dock. You can then use figures to draw the viewers eye down towards the mini-sub if you want to position in the water.

*edit: I would keep the trailer as well. You can have the A-frame for the hitch elevated to towing level and extending off of the base. This way you can cut off the portion of the A-frame that is extending past the dimensions of the base, giving the illusion that a it is mounted to a vehicle that is pulling it away from the launch zone.

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for the comments, lots more food for thought.

Picked up the Long Dock from Hannants not long after it came out, was in the Colindale shop and bought it on impulse with no idea what I intended to do with it. (not much further on now)

All comments and feedback always welcome.

Hadn't thought about trimming the A frame. again something to consider.

The Biber on it's trailer is indeed intended to be the focus of the scene, will be using figures, and other vehicles / equipment. Will keep updated with my thoughts and potential additions.

Si

Hi Simon,
that's a long dock part for this little sub, but it's too short for the Biber on the trailer and a prime mover. What about a german staff cart and some navy officers inspecting the new "Wunderwaffe"? Or a jeep with very interested allied soldiers...
Building a diorama, you have another problem to solve: the different planes of sight. For showing a sub on trailer a part of a street would suffice. But you want to use the dock with this long vertical wall. What will happen at the lower end of this wall for that is the other plane of view. Perhaps some brackish water? Another swimming Biber or only some gulls?
And please, don't install a FlaK-emplacement! Nobody would have done this! Only at the very end of a dock this may have happened. An AA-gun will cramp the needed free space on the dock and the rails for a crane or railcars.
A harbour crane will be a great choice, but you want your Biber to be the eyecatcher!
Some inspiring links may help:
http://www.panzer-bau.de/dioramen-1-35/schiffsdioramen-1-35/viic-boot-im-trockendock-1940/
http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/forums/165541&page=1


Michael

I remember your IJmuiden build Michael, excellent work.
Cheers,
Julian

Very good point Micheal, hadn't thought that through. but on a project like this everything is flexible.

I am now thinking Biber on the trailer in the centre of the dock, abandoned staff car on one end, and a bren carrier on the other with a few British squaddies having a brew whilst a couple of other are looking at the biber.

exact layout will depend on what figures I can find, as I am not a great figure converter.

Si

Hi Simon,

Good to see this project. I'll be interested to see how the U Models trailer goes together. I have a Biber and thought the trailer would make for a more complete display. Similar thinking but I had envisaged the Biber being inspected at wars end and the trailer linked to some Brits and a truck ready to tow it back home.

Look forward to developments.

Cheers

Al

Hi Al, the trailer is the next job.

I am thinking of the below two vehicles, the staff car abandoned with one engine cover open, and the Bren Carrier either just arriving, or with some figures having a brew & looking at the Biber, depending upon what I can find.

Si

Heres the kits.



Si

On with the vehicles, the plan here to make the spraying easier, as the staff car & the trailer are both going to be dark grey they will be built at the side by side, and the Bren carrier whilst I am working the figures.

The trailer.

Mount for the swivelling front bogie fitted and springs added to the bogie.



The wheels are given a coat of citadel "Chaos Black" from a rattle can, it dries very flat and is in fact a very dark grey so makes an excellent base coat for dry brushing and washing tyres.



framework and springs fitted and the fron bogie and towing frame test fitted, So far so good, going together very well.

The staff car.

This is a different beast all together, the MB plastic is brittle and the instructions, in my opinion could be clearer, (but maybe because I don't build that many cars.

The chassis underway.



Test fitting the body pan, firewall & engine block



More soon,

Si

This will ending up looking great Simon.....Cheers mark

Thanks Mark,

Appreciate you kind comments.

Just realised photo of the Trailer under construction is missing.



Si

A bit more progress on the trailer.

Axles on and the cradles for the torps



the Biber test fitted.



It fits! superb, a few more bits and pieces and she will be ready for a coat of paint.

Si

Coming along very nicely Simon. Al

Thanks Al,

The engineering of the U Models trailer is very good.

I am tempted to get the Neger trailer for the Mirk kit I picked up at the weekend, and am doing as a last build on Dive 3

Si