Scale: 1:100. Full hull model of the 'Otso' (1986), a Finnish icebreaker. This model was a gift to the NMM from the Prime Minister of Finland, Kalevi Sorsa, to mark the opening of a groundbreaking exhibition at the NMM entitled ‘Sea Finland’ in 1985. Organized by the National Board of Antiquities of Finland and the NMM under the auspices of the Finnish Government, the exhibition told the story of how Finland’s affinity with the sea has helped shape its development and national character. The model was presented to the Museum with ''Karhu 2' prominently painted on the port and starboard hulls. Following the launch of the actual vessel and her being named 'Otso', the Museum changed the name accordingly.

This model of a ‘Karhu 2’-class icebreaker embodied in the exhibition a peak of that development. It is a highly accomplished piece of modelmaking, very clean and crisp looking with its blue and white hull. On it we can see that the bridge wings are fully enclosed providing the crew with almost 360-degree visibility without being subjected to the harsh climate. The class had a water-air bubbling system (WABS), which pumped high-pressure air out through the hull plating to act as a lubricant. Cabins for each individual crewmember were placed in the superstructure, well away from the noise of breaking ice being transmitted through the hull, and the vessels each had two saunas and a gymnasium.

‘Otso’ was built by Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard for the Finnish Board of Navigation. She was 99 metres in length and her two propellers gave her an open water speed of 18.5 knots.