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Author Topic: Icebreaker Polar Star  (Read 2011 times)

raflaunches

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Icebreaker Polar Star
« on: April 30, 2021, 05:54:56 am »

Hi everyone


I found a rather nice hull on a well known auction site of the US Coast Guard icebreaker called Polar Star. You rarely see icebreakers in model form and I’ve done the usual research on the vessel but I’m intrigued by this photo of the ship in dry dock. The props are very different to what I expected- not in design or shape- but the material and manufacturing method seems to be very different to the usual type of propellers. They look like they are machined from stainless steel but would they be? I’ve found a Facebook page for the ship and asked the question but haven’t received a reply yet. What do you guys think?

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Nick B

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Taranis

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2021, 06:12:30 am »

Three sixteen foot variable pitch but it doesn’t say what material.
Impressive service history
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Polar_Star_(WAGB-10)
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ANDY
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raflaunches

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2021, 06:16:47 am »

Hi Andy


That’s as much as I could find too. The colour and finishing of the material of the prop looks so different to the usual finishes of props usually attached to ships. Very interesting vessel as you say.
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Nick B

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Taranis

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2021, 06:29:13 am »

It seems that the propellers have to be removed and sent away for re milling after every mission along with replacement shaft seals  %%
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T888

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2021, 06:40:20 am »

A few year ago I purchased this hull from a MBM member, this was going to be my next project once I’ve completed USS Roosevelt.

Over the years I’ve been collecting pictures and info to help me build this model and have found that USGC Polar Star has been heavily modified since her reactivation in 2010. The drawing I have showed her as built with one shaft, but pictures of her post 2010 show her with triple shaft, this is what I have fitted.
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Regards David

raflaunches

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2021, 08:41:27 am »

Hi T888


I did wonder about the plans when I saw the single prop- the triple is far more interesting in my opinion.
I would love to see some pictures of your progress if that is okay. It’s so different to what I normally build and I like everything about it.
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Nick B

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John W E

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2021, 09:40:07 am »

hi there


Chances are, the props are a stainless steel alloy.  Or, they may be a very hard nickel alloy.


Here's a link to the repair of a couple of stainless steel props.  Very interesting reading for me - and - it brings back some very bone chilling memories of serving one's apprenticeship as the last part of the apprenticeship when old enough one was allowed down the dock bottom to join the tail end crew and me being 4 foot or so at the time :-) my job was to set the boring bar up in the stern tube to bore out the lignum vitae wood blocks which were used as bearing surfaces for the tail shaft.  Brings memories to me of extremely cold and howling winds down the dock bottom straight from the River Tyne, big hammers, huge spanners, wobbling staging and blokeys who looked like giants. 
Repair of propellers and CPP blades made of copper alloys and steel alloys (reneko.ee)


john
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Akira

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2021, 06:11:00 pm »

"Over the years I’ve been collecting pictures and info to help me build this model and have found that USGC Polar Star has been heavily modified since her reactivation in 2010. The drawing I have showed her as built with one shaft, but pictures of her post 2010 show her with triple shaft, this is what I have fitted."
I do not believe that Polar Star was built with just one shaft. First her entire propulsion system is designed for three shafts. Second, and perhaps most important, who in their right mind would design a single screw icebreaker? Damage or lose the prop and it is not going anywhere. There were, I believe nine Wind class breakers built during WW 2 and several served into the 1980's. They were all triple screw, one forward and two aft. ( It was found that the bow screw was a liability in hard arctic ice and that a Wind could break ice just a thick and as quickly using just her two stern screws.) Wikipedia has an article on her here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Polar_Star_(WAGB-10)

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T888

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2021, 07:24:29 pm »

Hi Akira,

Like you I’ve been collecting info on these ships, the plan I have came with the hull. I believe it originated from an American supplier and based on actual pictures of the ship must be incorrect.

As per your posting and raflaunches posting we all can’t understand why the plans only show a single shaft/prop, as you said it would be a Major refit to install the wing shafts and engines.

I’ve installed three shaft based on the photos of the actual vessel.
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Regards David

Akira

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2021, 09:08:43 pm »

Dave, I do not know who drew your plans, but I strongly suspect them to be in error. I suspect thee plans show the center shaft and missed the wing shafts.
The best source I have found for USCG plans is the USCG Museum Northwest, here: http://www.rexmwess.com/cgpatchs/cogardmuseum.htmlThey are wonderful to work with. If I can help, please let me know.Another source is Coast Grad Models, here,
I have attached catalogs from each.
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T888

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #10 on: May 01, 2021, 08:06:37 pm »

Thanks Akira, same goes for me if I can help you.


The link seem to not work, the other attachment works thanks.
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Regards David

Akira

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2021, 09:39:17 pm »

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T888

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2021, 12:05:59 pm »

Nick B & Akira,


Photos as requested
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Regards David

raflaunches

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2021, 09:32:59 pm »

Hi Dave


Many thanks for the pictures- love the lovely cut outs in the hull sides.


Hi Akira


Many thanks for the links- they may prove very helpful
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Nick B

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Akira

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Re: Icebreaker Polar Star
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2021, 11:25:45 pm »

Nick, You are most welcome. I hope they do. if you have any trouble contacting either, or getting plans, please let me know and I'' see if I can help.Jonathan
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