Campbell’s Bluebird Goes Home to Coniston

After much controversy and a legal battle with the person who originally retrieved her from the depths of Coniston Water and carried out much of her restoration, Bluebird K7 was finally returned to the Lake District village to be be conserved and displayed in its forever home – the Bluebird Wing of The Ruskin Museum – alongside its original engine.

Gina Campbell, daughter of Donald Campbell CBE, said, “We are delighted that Bluebird K7 has come home.  It is taken many years of hard work by The Ruskin Museum to achieve our original gift of K7 so that it can be put on display there.  We must not forget the many volunteers who gave their time, money and support to rebuild K7 to her former glory.  It has led to this momentous moment, and we are very grateful to them all.”

In 1964, Donald Campbell set a new land speed record at Lake Eyre, Australia, at 403mph. Later the same year, he broke his own water speed record at Lake Dumbleyung, Western Australia, at 276mph.  His highest speed on water was estimated as being 320mph during his last, fatal run in Bluebird K7 on Coniston Water in January 1967.