I was a small child when Donald Campbell met his very public death in Bluebird on 4th January 1967, but as I grew slightly older and the speed / motorsport bug began to bite, there were a great many publications decicated to the man and his father before him.
In 2001, when I heard that Bluebird was going to be raised, I had mixed feelings. Everyone has seen the shocking impact with the water many times and it’s obvious the front cockpit took the full force, so I for one had no desire to see that as it broke the surface. However, once I heard that Bluebird was to be restored, I felt much better. I’d love to see it, but would find looking at the un-restored wreckage a ghoulish thing.
So several years pass and the project has moved steadily on and this week I’m surprised to hear on the news that plans are afoot to actually run Bluebird on Coniston water, if permission can be obtained to waive the 10mph speed limit. And while they’ll not be going for any world records, she won’t just be trundling about on tickover, either. Lets hope it becomes a regular thing and that it brings people to Britain to see it. There is a wealth of information on The Bluebird Project’s website covering every aspect of the history of the speed attempt and the recovery of Bluebird and Donald Campbell’s remains.
Quite who the lucky pilot will be I don’t know but you can guarantee it will be an emotional drive for whoever it is. As I’m based just a few hours drive from The Lake District, lets hope I can be there when the turbine starts once more.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
In a world with few real heroes ,Donald campbells bluebird k7 must be brought back to life, to try and give inspiration to a lost generation and give future britains the heroes they deserve.
good luck
paul griggs