Italeri Biber Midget Submarine
Brand: Italeri
Part No: HC-5609
Shadow Stock: Usually ships next day
The Italeri Biber Midget Submarine (part number HC-5609) presents the late‑war German Biber, a compact, one‑man craft conceived for coastal defence during the final stages of the Second World War.
Historical Background
Development of the Biber was extremely rapid: design work began in February 1944 and the first units were at sea just six months later. Intended to bolster shore defences against a likely Allied invasion, the type ultimately proved limited in combat due to technical shortcomings and crews trained too quickly for wartime needs. Even so, more than 300 Bibers were delivered and operated by the Kriegsmarine before the end of the war.
Key Details From The Prototype
- Approximate length: 9 metres
- Range: up to around 240 kilometres
- Maximum speed: 6.5 knots surfaced, 5.3 knots submerged
- Crew: single operator
- External armament: two 530 mm torpedoes or two mines
This subject offers a concise snapshot of late‑war naval innovation, highlighting the challenges and ambitions behind Germany’s midget submarine programme.
Secured by Stripe
The Biber could have been equipped with two 530mm torpedoes mounted externally or with two mines. The crew consisted of only one member. The deployment of the Biber, within the Kriegsmarine strategy, was very simple: supply an efficient defence of the cost shore as protection to a possible, further more probable, Allied invasion.
Anyhow, the Biber was never a serious threat for the Allied. Both due to its technical and design defects and for the crew trained, for war needs, excessively fast and without necessary formation. Nether the less, from 1944 till the end of the Second World War, the Kriegsmarine took delivery and placed in operation more than 300 Bibers.
Key Info:
- Brand: Italeri
- Part No: HC-5609
- Barcode: 8001283056090
- Scale: 1:35
Standard Shipping
£3.95 to most of the UK
Express Shipping
£6.95 to most of the UK
Worldwide Shipping
Available at checkout
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