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History
2026
May 11
Bluebird K7 return to the waters of Coniston for the first time since that fateful day in 1967. It will also be a celebration of the 70 year anniversary of Donald Campbells fist water speed record.
2024
March 9
Donald Campbell’s record-breaking hydroplane, Bluebird K7, returned to the village of Coniston after a 23-year absence, following its recovery from the lake bed in 2001, the craft was transported from a restoration workshop in North Shields to its permanent home in the purpose-built Bluebird Wing of the Ruskin Museum
2018
May 17
Restored Bluebird K7 returns to the water for the first time in 51 years for successful trials on Loch Fad, Scotland, proving it can run again after restoration.
2001
December 3
March 8
Following a search led by Bill Smith, the main wreckage of Bluebird K7 is recovered
1967
January 4
On 4 January 1967, Campbell mounted his record attempt. Bluebird had completed an initial north–south run at an average of 297.6 mph (478.9 km/h), and Campbell used the new water brake to slow K7 from a peak speed of 311 mph (501 km/h) when he left the measured kilometre. Instead of coming to a stop and opting to refuel, he decided to perform a quick turnaround and immediately head back up the course before the wash of his first run had time to be reflected back towards the centre of the lake. Both options had been discussed in the pre attempt briefing. The second run was even faster; as K7 passed the start of the measured kilometre, she was travelling at over 320 mph (510 km/h). However her stability had begun to break down as she travelled at a speed she had never achieved before, and the front of the boat started to bounce out of the water on the starboard side. 150 yards (135 metres) from the end of the measured kilometre, K7 lifted from the surface and after about 1.5 seconds, gradually lifted from the water at an ever-increasing angle, then took off at a 90-degree angle to the water surface. She somersaulted and plunged back into the lake, nose first, then cartwheeled across the water before coming to rest. The impact broke K7 forward of the air intakes (where Campbell was sitting) and the main hull sank shortly afterwards. Campbell had been killed instantly. Mr Whoppit, his teddy bear mascot, was found among the floating debris and his helmet was recovered. Royal Navy divers were able to locate the wreck of K7, but called off the search for Campbell’s body after two weeks.[
1964
1959