OcCre Gjøa 1:45 – Wooden model kit of Roald Amundsen’s polar ship
The OcCre Gjøa model kit on a scale of 1:45 is a highly detailed wooden model kit of a historic polar ship. The model pays tribute to one of the most significant expedition ships in maritime history: the Gjøa, on which Roald Amundsen successfully completed the first full crossing of the Northwest Passage between 1903 and 1906.
The history of the Gjøa began long before its famous polar voyage. The ship was built in 1872 in Rosendal on the Hardangerfjord in Norway and was initially used as a sturdy working and coastal vessel. It was named after Gjøa Sexe, the wife of its first owner, Asbjørn Sexe. It was not a large expeditionary vessel, but a small, manoeuvrable and seaworthy craft – it was precisely these qualities that later made it particularly appealing for Amundsen’s plans.
For centuries, the Northwest Passage had been regarded as one of the great dreams of seafaring. Numerous expeditions had attempted to find a sea route through the Arctic waters north of the American continent. Many failed due to ice, cold, hunger, unfamiliar coastlines and the extreme conditions of the polar region. Amundsen deliberately chose a different approach: instead of setting out with a large ship and a large crew, he opted for the small Gjøa and a manageable crew.
In 1903, Amundsen left Norway with just six companions. The Gjøa crossed Baffin Bay, Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait, eventually reaching the region around King William Island. There, the expedition overwintered for an extended period in a sheltered spot that was later named Gjoa Haven. This enforced period of rest proved to be a crucial factor in their success. Amundsen and his crew were able to carry out scientific observations, including those on the location of the magnetic North Pole, and they learnt important techniques for survival in the Arctic from the Inuit.
It was precisely this learning from the local people that set Amundsen’s expedition apart from many earlier ventures. Dealing with the cold, snow, ice, clothing, food and sledging became a vital foundation for his later successes. The Gjøa was not merely a means of transport, but a floating base, a shelter and a symbol of a new kind of polar exploration: smaller, more manoeuvrable and better adapted to the environment.
After several winters trapped in the ice, the Gjøa continued its journey. In 1906, Amundsen finally reached Alaska and completed the first successful crossing of the Northwest Passage by ship. The Gjøa thus became a milestone in the history of exploration. Today, the original ship is housed at the Fram Museum in Oslo, where it serves as a reminder of an expedition that combined courage, patience, seafaring skill and keen powers of observation.
The OcCre Gjøa model kit recreates this famous polar ship as a challenging wooden model. With its compact hull shape, characteristic rigging and remarkable expedition history, the model is an impressive collector’s item for enthusiasts of historical ship models, polar ships and voyages of discovery. The kit is particularly suitable for model-makers looking for a maritime project with a strong historical background.
Product features
- Laser-cut wooden parts
- Multi-piece hull construction
- Wooden strips for planking and fitting-out
- Brass and metal fittings
- Sewn cotton sails
- Detailed rigging
- Construction plans and step-by-step instructions included
- Video tutorials from the manufacturer available
Technical specifications
Scale: 1:45
Length: 725 mm
Width: 295 mm
Height: 665 mm
Number of parts: 1,991
Construction time: approx. 480 hours