Landracing Forum

Thrust-powered Land Speed information => Discussions on absolute land speed records => Topic started by: J79 on September 04, 2018, 10:15:44 PM

Title: Donald Campbells restoration/running of "Bluebird" Turbine Boat Youtube Video.
Post by: J79 on September 04, 2018, 10:15:44 PM
Published on Aug 26, 2018. First time in water and running since the restoration with some great video shots. I know this is a boat and does not qualify for Land Racing, but it's similar.

"Recovery of Bluebird K7 and the body of Donald Campbell

The wreckage of Campbell's craft was recovered by the Bluebird Project between October 2000, when the first sections were raised, and May 2001, when Campbell's body was recovered. The largest section comprising approximately two thirds of the centre hull was raised on 8 March 2001. The project began when diver Bill Smith was inspired to look for the wreck after hearing the Marillion song "Out of this World" (from the album Afraid of Sunlight), which was written about Campbell and Bluebird.

The recovered wreck revealed that the water brake had deployed after the accident as a result of stored accumulator pressure; Campbell would not have had time to deploy the relatively slow-moving brake as the boat flipped out of control. The boat still contained fuel in the engine fuel lines, discounting the fuel-starvation theory. The wreckage all evidenced an impact from left to right, wiping the whole front of the boat off in that direction. Campbell's lower harness mounts had failed and were found to be effectively useless. Further dives recovered various parts of K7, which had separated from the main hull when it broke up on impact.

Restoration

On Thursday 7 December 2006, Gina Campbell, Campbell's daughter, gave Bluebird K7 to the Ruskin Museum in Coniston on behalf of the Campbell Family Heritage Trust. In agreement with the Campbell Family Heritage Trust and the museum, Bill Smith is to organise the restoration of the boat. The intention is to rebuild K7 back to running order circa 4 January 1967.

By May 2009, permission had been received for a one off set of proving trials of Bluebird on Coniston Water, where she will be tested to a safe speed for demonstration purposes only. There was no fixed date for completion of Bluebird K7 or the trials. K7 will be housed in her own purpose-built wing at the Ruskin Museum in Coniston, while remaining in the care of the Bluebird Project.

On 3 August 2018, it was reported that the restoration had been completed and that Bluebird K7 was being transported to the Isle of Bute in Scotland for low-speed water trials. The restored boat has been completing return legs successfully at Loch Fad on the island K7 was exhibited at the Bute Highland games on 11 August 2011 and participated in the masses pipe band procession through the town of Rothesay."


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Campbell

Google Map of Coniston Water in the United Kingdom: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Coniston+Water/@54.3336166,-3.079349,12z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x487cbec200cf5b0d:0x487cbcc4ed39e015!8m2!3d54.343243!4d-3.0716266?hl=en (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Coniston+Water/@54.3336166,-3.079349,12z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x487cbec200cf5b0d:0x487cbcc4ed39e015!8m2!3d54.343243!4d-3.0716266?hl=en)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2oVSlfmrvI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2oVSlfmrvI)
Title: Re: Youtube Video on Donald Campbells restoration/running of "Bluebird" Turbine Boat
Post by: J79 on September 10, 2018, 09:29:52 PM
50 minute documentary on locating and raising the wrecked Bluebird and Donald Campbells body:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS9bdXR4yfs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS9bdXR4yfs)
Title: Re: Youtube Video on Donald Campbells restoration/running of "Bluebird" Turbine Boat
Post by: J79 on September 10, 2018, 11:49:09 PM
Bluebird Youtube channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBluebirdProject/videos (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBluebirdProject/videos)
Title: Re: Youtube Video on Donald Campbells restoration/running of "Bluebird" Turbine Boat
Post by: J79 on September 10, 2018, 11:51:19 PM
Restored Bluebird running over the lake video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5iNQu4B6IQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5iNQu4B6IQ)
Title: Re: Youtube Video on Donald Campbells restoration/running of "Bluebird" Turbine Boat
Post by: J79 on September 11, 2018, 12:05:59 AM
15 minute video on the history of Bluebird:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNRR1PsKu4M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNRR1PsKu4M)