Bluebird K7
@bluebirdk7.bsky.social
Donald Campbell's iconic record-breaking hydroplane, its home in Coniston, and related content on the Campbell family and the water speed record
This account has no affiliation with the Campbell family, the Ruskin Museum or the restorers of Bluebird K7
This account has no affiliation with the Campbell family, the Ruskin Museum or the restorers of Bluebird K7
On this day in 1935, Malcolm Campbell took the world land speed record beyond 300mph for the first time, in his Rolls-Royce R powered Blue Bird, at Bonneville salt flats, Nevada
September 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM
On this day in 1935, Malcolm Campbell took the world land speed record beyond 300mph for the first time, in his Rolls-Royce R powered Blue Bird, at Bonneville salt flats, Nevada
On this day in 2018, #BluebirdK7 ran for the first time since 1967, with crew training runs on Loch Fad during her 23-year restoration. She is due to run on Coniston Water next year
Pic: Neil Draper
Pic: Neil Draper
August 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
On this day in 2018, #BluebirdK7 ran for the first time since 1967, with crew training runs on Loch Fad during her 23-year restoration. She is due to run on Coniston Water next year
Pic: Neil Draper
Pic: Neil Draper
Bluebird K7 under her covers on the morning of 23 July, with the #LakeDistrict fells emerging from the mist behind. Bluebird and the Campbells are firmly bound to the Lake District with record campaigns there in 1939, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1966-7
Pic: Tony Stuchbury
Pic: Tony Stuchbury
July 31, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Bluebird K7 under her covers on the morning of 23 July, with the #LakeDistrict fells emerging from the mist behind. Bluebird and the Campbells are firmly bound to the Lake District with record campaigns there in 1939, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1966-7
Pic: Tony Stuchbury
Pic: Tony Stuchbury
At the anniversary of Donald Campbell’s first world water speed record in #BluebirdK7 on 23 July the boat was visited by a car that Donald Campbell may have driven at the time. The prototype AC Aceca is rumoured to have been loaned to Campbell between 1954 and 1956, though there’s no direct evidence
July 30, 2025 at 8:38 AM
At the anniversary of Donald Campbell’s first world water speed record in #BluebirdK7 on 23 July the boat was visited by a car that Donald Campbell may have driven at the time. The prototype AC Aceca is rumoured to have been loaned to Campbell between 1954 and 1956, though there’s no direct evidence
Some more photos of #BluebirdK7 at Ullswater in the #LakeDistrict last week for the anniversary of Donald Campbell’s first world water speed record in 1955
Pics courtesy of Anthony Stuchbury
Pics courtesy of Anthony Stuchbury
July 29, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Some more photos of #BluebirdK7 at Ullswater in the #LakeDistrict last week for the anniversary of Donald Campbell’s first world water speed record in 1955
Pics courtesy of Anthony Stuchbury
Pics courtesy of Anthony Stuchbury
Then, in 1938, the twin Lion VIID-powered car - John Cobb's fantastic Railton Special, genius Reid Railton's masterpiece - took part in an incredible battle on the Bonneville salt...
Pic L'Automobile Ancienne
Pic L'Automobile Ancienne
July 26, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Then, in 1938, the twin Lion VIID-powered car - John Cobb's fantastic Railton Special, genius Reid Railton's masterpiece - took part in an incredible battle on the Bonneville salt...
Pic L'Automobile Ancienne
Pic L'Automobile Ancienne
The Lion VIID did, however, go on to have an illustrious career in record breaking. In 1933, a VIID powered the hydroplane Miss Britain III to a single-engined water speed record...
Artwork M. Willis
Artwork M. Willis
July 26, 2025 at 7:44 PM
The Lion VIID did, however, go on to have an illustrious career in record breaking. In 1933, a VIID powered the hydroplane Miss Britain III to a single-engined water speed record...
Artwork M. Willis
Artwork M. Willis
A British Army A41 No2 radio identical to the one installed in #BluebirdK7 during Donald Campbell’s final water speed record attempt in 1966-67. This set has been loaned to the Ruskin Museum by Tony Stuchbury as Bluebird was missing her set when she arrived in March 2024
July 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
A British Army A41 No2 radio identical to the one installed in #BluebirdK7 during Donald Campbell’s final water speed record attempt in 1966-67. This set has been loaned to the Ruskin Museum by Tony Stuchbury as Bluebird was missing her set when she arrived in March 2024
Cube3 - Creative Product Design have kindly supplied CAD drawings and working together with our very highly skilled friends at Mecaplex AG, a Division of Glas Trösch Group and we now have canopies ready for final fitting. One of these is now with an engineer for finishing”
July 25, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Cube3 - Creative Product Design have kindly supplied CAD drawings and working together with our very highly skilled friends at Mecaplex AG, a Division of Glas Trösch Group and we now have canopies ready for final fitting. One of these is now with an engineer for finishing”
The helmet is doubly historic, as in addition to Campbell wearing it in Bluebird K7, Duke had worn it when he became the first Briton to break the sound barrier
July 25, 2025 at 8:28 AM
The helmet is doubly historic, as in addition to Campbell wearing it in Bluebird K7, Duke had worn it when he became the first Briton to break the sound barrier
When record-breaking jet pilot Neville Duke visited Donald Campbell during the preparations for his water speed record campaign in 1955, he was surprised that Campbell had no crash helmet. Duke gave him this one, and Campbell had the Bluebird motif painted on it by a visiting artist
July 25, 2025 at 8:24 AM
When record-breaking jet pilot Neville Duke visited Donald Campbell during the preparations for his water speed record campaign in 1955, he was surprised that Campbell had no crash helmet. Duke gave him this one, and Campbell had the Bluebird motif painted on it by a visiting artist
Donald Campbell with #BluebirdK7 in its original form on Ullswater in the winter of 1955. While a beautiful, picturesque scene, all was not well. Bluebird, as designed, was bow-heavy, and the intakes ingested too much water. Only after three months of rebuilding could K7’s potential first be shown
July 24, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Donald Campbell with #BluebirdK7 in its original form on Ullswater in the winter of 1955. While a beautiful, picturesque scene, all was not well. Bluebird, as designed, was bow-heavy, and the intakes ingested too much water. Only after three months of rebuilding could K7’s potential first be shown
If you’re near the #LakeDistrict today, there’s a unique chance to see Bluebird at the site of her first record. She’s on display at Glenridding pier, courtesy of the Ruskin Museum and Ullswater Steamers
Photo: Tony Stuchbury
Photo: Tony Stuchbury
July 23, 2025 at 9:20 AM
If you’re near the #LakeDistrict today, there’s a unique chance to see Bluebird at the site of her first record. She’s on display at Glenridding pier, courtesy of the Ruskin Museum and Ullswater Steamers
Photo: Tony Stuchbury
Photo: Tony Stuchbury
70 years ago today, Donald Campbell set his first World Water Speed Record, after six years of trying. This was the first record for his new boat, #BluebirdK7, and the only record he set on Ullswater in the #LakeDistrict
Photo: Hellawell, from Ruskin Museum collection
Photo: Hellawell, from Ruskin Museum collection
July 23, 2025 at 9:16 AM
70 years ago today, Donald Campbell set his first World Water Speed Record, after six years of trying. This was the first record for his new boat, #BluebirdK7, and the only record he set on Ullswater in the #LakeDistrict
Photo: Hellawell, from Ruskin Museum collection
Photo: Hellawell, from Ruskin Museum collection
On 17 July 1964, Donald Campbell set a FIA World Land Speed Record of 403.1mph in Bluebird CN7 at Lake Eyre, Australia (Image: Ruskin Museum collection)
July 21, 2025 at 9:29 AM
On 17 July 1964, Donald Campbell set a FIA World Land Speed Record of 403.1mph in Bluebird CN7 at Lake Eyre, Australia (Image: Ruskin Museum collection)
October 2024 - #BluebirdK7 arriving at the former Samlesbury Engineering site before an event to mark the anniversary of her construction there in 1954
February 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
October 2024 - #BluebirdK7 arriving at the former Samlesbury Engineering site before an event to mark the anniversary of her construction there in 1954
Today we remember Donald Campbell who tragically lost his life on 4 January 1967, while attempting to raise the world water speed record to 300mph on Coniston Water in #BluebirdK7 (illustration M Willis)
January 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Today we remember Donald Campbell who tragically lost his life on 4 January 1967, while attempting to raise the world water speed record to 300mph on Coniston Water in #BluebirdK7 (illustration M Willis)
We have one of these amazing Steele's #BluebirdK7 calendars to give away! 12 great photos of Bluebird being transported by Steele's
Open to all followers - just reply to this post to be in with a chance. Winner announced at the end of the week
Open to all followers - just reply to this post to be in with a chance. Winner announced at the end of the week
December 9, 2024 at 4:04 PM
We have one of these amazing Steele's #BluebirdK7 calendars to give away! 12 great photos of Bluebird being transported by Steele's
Open to all followers - just reply to this post to be in with a chance. Winner announced at the end of the week
Open to all followers - just reply to this post to be in with a chance. Winner announced at the end of the week
This photo shows what a knife edge Campbell was riding on. The rhombus-shaped objects projecting from the underside are stabilising fins, meant to stay in the water at all times - Bluebird's planing surfaces were right out of the water and she was riding on the fins, millimetres from disaster!
November 25, 2024 at 1:20 PM
This photo shows what a knife edge Campbell was riding on. The rhombus-shaped objects projecting from the underside are stabilising fins, meant to stay in the water at all times - Bluebird's planing surfaces were right out of the water and she was riding on the fins, millimetres from disaster!
Perhaps the most remarkable of Donald Campbell's speed record runs in #BluebirdK7 was on 19 September 1956 at Coniston Water. Campbell aimed for a 240mph outward run, hoping to push it up on the return. The bows were riding very high and DC reported "a hell of a beating." He had done 286mph!...
November 25, 2024 at 1:11 PM
Perhaps the most remarkable of Donald Campbell's speed record runs in #BluebirdK7 was on 19 September 1956 at Coniston Water. Campbell aimed for a 240mph outward run, hoping to push it up on the return. The bows were riding very high and DC reported "a hell of a beating." He had done 286mph!...
Now on sale from the Ruskin Museum shop is the specially commissioned book 'Flight Of The Bluebird' by David de Lara, lavishly illustrated with superb photos from the Ruskin and other collections. A beautiful souvenir of Bluebird. £10 + p&p ruskinmuseum.com/product/flig...
November 24, 2024 at 4:36 PM
Now on sale from the Ruskin Museum shop is the specially commissioned book 'Flight Of The Bluebird' by David de Lara, lavishly illustrated with superb photos from the Ruskin and other collections. A beautiful souvenir of Bluebird. £10 + p&p ruskinmuseum.com/product/flig...
Hmm need to try again with that photo
November 23, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Hmm need to try again with that photo
That’s amazing! Here it is with Donald in 1954 (pic from Ruskin Museum collection)
November 22, 2024 at 2:39 PM
That’s amazing! Here it is with Donald in 1954 (pic from Ruskin Museum collection)