SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - Historical data U-boot Biber

Penguin · 01-09-13, 12:18 PM

Ah the good ole Biber, the stepchild of the U-boats, disregarded in most books.

Though I found some stuff:

1. A technical drawing of the Biber in "Geschichte des Deutschen U-Bootbaus" by Eberhard Rössler

2. A photo of Biber 105 also some tech drawings (with russian explanations)made after its capture by the Soviets, in the book "Deutsche U-Boote geheim" by Richard Lakowski. This is the Biber that is in the British sub museum: http://www.submarine-museum.co.uk/wh...bmarines/biber
Regarding the pics on the museum site: The Soviet photo shows that it was painted in one color only, a light grey - and no shark mouth on it. The number on the boat is in the correct position behind the side window, the font is similar, but it didn't have this white outline. Between the side and the front window there was also a Balkenkreuz painted on. Note that the pic in my book only shows the starboard side.

3. Certainly the most interesting find if you're looking for camo schemes:
In the magazine "U-Boote im Focus" (http://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/uboot.en.html) No. 5 there is an article about some Bibers in Norway. Check out this sample page: http://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/..._Edition_5.pdf
You can see this one had indeed a shark mouth. According to the article the Bibers in Norway were painted in camo due to their high visibility in the clear water of the fjords. There is also a picture, showing Biber 156 and 157, both had the numbers in the same position as 105, can't make out a Balkenkreuz though.
Another group shot shows 5 Biber, 3 painted in light grey, 2 in a similar way as the one in on the sample page, though both schemes look a little different.
There is also a color drawing, though it is a contemporary one, presumably made after the pic of the "striped Biber". The colors of the Biber in the drawing is a light grey base painting, with black, brown and white stripes, with some red at the shark mouth.

I can only recommend "U-Boote im Focus", though the price is a little steep (16,80 to the Netherlands), for 50 pages, even less when you regard that it's bilingual. However the photos in it are top notch!

Due to the German copyright law, I can't upload the photos publicly, but the law allows to make copies from and for private citizens. So if you're interested in any pics, drop me a PM and I can scan them in and send them to you.

Groeten,
Penguin

01-09-13, 12:18 PM	#4
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	Ah the good ole Biber, the stepchild of the U-boats, disregarded in most books. Though I found some stuff: 1. A technical drawing of the Biber in "Geschichte des Deutschen U-Bootbaus" by Eberhard Rössler 2. A photo of Biber 105 also some tech drawings (with russian explanations)made after its capture by the Soviets, in the book "Deutsche U-Boote geheim" by Richard Lakowski. This is the Biber that is in the British sub museum: http://www.submarine-museum.co.uk/wh...bmarines/biber Regarding the pics on the museum site: The Soviet photo shows that it was painted in one color only, a light grey - and no shark mouth on it. The number on the boat is in the correct position behind the side window, the font is similar, but it didn't have this white outline. Between the side and the front window there was also a Balkenkreuz painted on. Note that the pic in my book only shows the starboard side. 3. Certainly the most interesting find if you're looking for camo schemes: In the magazine "U-Boote im Focus" (http://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/uboot.en.html) No. 5 there is an article about some Bibers in Norway. Check out this sample page: http://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/..._Edition_5.pdf You can see this one had indeed a shark mouth. According to the article the Bibers in Norway were painted in camo due to their high visibility in the clear water of the fjords. There is also a picture, showing Biber 156 and 157, both had the numbers in the same position as 105, can't make out a Balkenkreuz though. Another group shot shows 5 Biber, 3 painted in light grey, 2 in a similar way as the one in on the sample page, though both schemes look a little different. There is also a color drawing, though it is a contemporary one, presumably made after the pic of the "striped Biber". The colors of the Biber in the drawing is a light grey base painting, with black, brown and white stripes, with some red at the shark mouth. I can only recommend "U-Boote im Focus", though the price is a little steep (16,80 to the Netherlands), for 50 pages, even less when you regard that it's bilingual. However the photos in it are top notch! Due to the German copyright law, I can't upload the photos publicly, but the law allows to make copies from and for private citizens. So if you're interested in any pics, drop me a PM and I can scan them in and send them to you. Groeten, Penguin