I too picked up the Dachs kit back in the 70's. It's the wooden hull version. The kit suggested Marx motors, which I purchased about the same time as the kit.

I had the kit largely put together (I'm very slow at building!!) when I was searching the Internet and came across your Wiesel modifications and how to change from the 3 to 4 shaft. That was about 10-15 years ago. Can't remember exactly?
At the time, I struggled with whether to go ahead with the changes or leave it as is. I had just finishing painting the hull. As you can see I haven't made the change(s), but occasionally revisit the idea. Regardless, I definitely want to upgrade the motors!

Gord.

Ed, interesting! Anyone else out there in the MB world have one (especially if you still run it)?

Lew

The Graupner Dachs had a wooden hull and the Wiesel had a plastic hull, I had both of them.

Surprisingly, Graupner kits followed fairly close to the ten Zobel class boats. Launching the real boats started in the early 1960's followed by the Graupner kits.

In the early 1970's the boats were extensively upgraded including the latest electronics, hence the dome. It didn't take long for Graupner to follow suite.

The model was in production for a few years after the Zobels were removed from service. The model was discontinued the brought back. That run did not last long.

Lew
Florida ⛱️, USA ❤️

Lew Z
thanks for the picture sent ! 👍
i still got an older version without the "ball " in the mast. It must be one of the first version that Graupner brought out
regards

Herman... this one's for you!
Lew

What have I created?

It has been almost 15 years since I have seen the inside of the Wiesel. A lot of MB builds since, and a lot of lessons learned.

I started pulling the "innards" out. What a bundle of wires, servos, connections, switches, and more. A lot of electronics to control four motors and the rudders. Note that I made the deck opening to be under the superstructure to avoid visible joints. All this had to fit into the deck opening (2nd photo). Time to simplify!

Lew
Florida 😎, USA 😍

Lew Z
When i see Wiesel it brings back memories as i made the Graupner Dachs when i was 17 years old and won the belgian championship with the sixt place. 👍👍

Having finished the Springer (#4) and made so ballast mods to Springer (#2) I am off to the next model in the queue. (My to-do's are all fix-ups or rebuilds, no new ones.)

So now I am back on the Wiesel! Originally purchased in London in May 1975, work started later that year and went on until the kids arrived. So work resumed in 2003 but with the internet I found many discrepancies' in the Graupner Wiesel. I did not use an axe but it might as well had been one as it was a major overhaul to get the model to look more like the original one. By 2011 it was ready for the water.

However, the speed was nothing to brag about. Actually it was anemic. So it has been on the shelf then in a display case since. Tonight I pulled it out of the case and it is sitting on my work table.

About two years ago I designed new propellers and 3D printed them. Now is the time. The new propellers will be slightly bigger in diameter, more blade surface area, and a much higher pitch. I will also go over the electronics and batteries.

In my opinion, these Zobel class "Schnellboots" are one of the best looking warships ever built. (Roughly 1962-1982.) Their sleek high speed hulls, streamlined cabin/structure, and all the antenna arrays make it stand out ahead of other warships.

Hopefully this will not take too long to do nor have any other issues show up as well as much better performance. Next May will be 50 years since I purchased the Wiesel and had it shipped back to my home.

Lew
Florida 😎, USA🤗