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You gave me an idea Ray. Say some one wanted to make a practical modern PSUB replica of the Biber subs. The large torpedoes could be battery pods with a large thruster in the end of end one. This along with the diesel motor in the rear of the main pressure hull, would give the craft great range. The elongated conning tower is a tricky one. I see advantages in having the extra space, but if not designed properly, it could be problematic. The RV Needlefish's conning tower configuration always worried me, not having stiffeners along it's length and/or between the pilot and passenger, as well as having the conning tower saddled over the main pressure hull. http://web.archive.org/web/20051030124733/giffordmarineinc.com/sub/Sub_1_15_02/Image5.jpg http://web.archive.org/web/20060221073206/www.giffordmarineinc.com/sub/Sub_1_15_02/sub_1_15_01.htm With Biber's conning tower being flanged out and then riveted on, that could perhaps be hard to replicate exactly for some of us. But if your not looking for an exact replica, I'm sure this group could figure out a strong modern alternative. Right off the bat, I think of welding on a saddle support like is on the older K-250's like mine and adding ornamental rivets. Then of course add the same two longitudinal external flanges to the conning tower to support it's length, as was done on the originals. We also have the added advantage of using modern steels, like A516 Gr 70. Then the elongated vertical portion of the conning tower could be installed like the K-250's and K-350's with the vertical portion protruding down into the main pressure hull. Also the main pressure hull skin, could be thicker in the conning tower section. Didn't the Biber's have a VBT? How was the gas stored? Regards,
Brent Hartwig Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 11:05:13 -0700 From: psubs2001@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Restoring a Biber (or Beaver) midget submarine To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
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