"Bluebird" K7Donald Campbell really made his mark with Bluebird K7, driving it to an unprecedented string of seven consecutive World Water Speed Records between 1955 and 1964, culminating with a speed of 276.33 mph on Lake Dumbleyung, Australia. The craft was heavily modified during its lifetime, evolving to meet new challenges. Donald lost his life in Bluebird K7 following its final metamorphosis, attempting to set a new record in excess of 300 mph on Coniston Water, England, in January 1967. The craft had been re-engined with a much more powerful Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet, having previously been fitted with a Metropolitan-Vickers Beryl. Interestingly, the original conceptual design for what became Bluebird K7 was a propeller-driven craft powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon piston engine. There can be few speed-record craft in history that changed form as often as this one did, and yet it ultimately became the most successful record-breaking boat of all time. In 2001, after 34 years of immersion, Bluebird K7 was recovered from the depths of Coniston Water and is being painstakingly restored to working order by a team of dedicated volunteers. |
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