World famous Bluebird K7 hydroplane coming from Ruskin Museum in Coniston to Beaulieu National Motor Museum
THE world famous Bluebird K7 hydroplane, which was used to break multiple water speed records, is coming to Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum.
The legendary vehicle is heading from its home at the Ruskin Museum in Coniston to the Forest on Sunday 6th October.
It will be the first time the fully restored vehicle will go on display at Beaulieu, outside of the museum building.
Built in the 1950s, the Bluebird K7 was piloted by Donald Campbell as he set seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1964.
Donald Campbell lost his life in the Bluebird in 1967 while attempting to break his previous record.
After lying submerged in Coniston Water for more than three decades, the vehicle was recovered in 2001 and painstakingly restored to its former glory.
Museum chief executive Dr Jon Murden said: “We are delighted to have this rare opportunity to display the iconic Bluebird K7 here at Beaulieu and look forward to welcoming the team from the Ruskin Museum, and seeing this iconic craft up close.”
The machine will be on display from 10am to 2.30pm outside of the museum on 6th October and is included in the standard Beaulieu admission ticket.
The hydroplane will be accompanied to Beaulieu by Ruskin Museum director Tracy Hodgson and Sir Malcolm Campbell’s grandson Don Wales, representing the Campbell Family Heritage Trust.
Ms Hodgson said: “2024 is the 60th anniversary of Donald Campbell CBE achieving “The Double” in which he broke the land and water speed records in the same year. We are delighted to be able to collaborate with the National Motor Museum in showing Bluebird K7 along with Bluebird CN7 to celebrate this record, a record which to this day is still undefeated.”
The National Motor Museum is renowned for being the home to several vehicles driven by the Campbell family, including the iconic 1920 350hp Sunbeam Blue Bird, in which Captain Malcolm Campbell set his records at Pendine Sands in 1924 and 1925.
Beaulieu is also home to the Bluebird CN7 a 4,100bhp jet-powered vehicle in which Donald Campbell exceeded 400mph on land at Lake Eyre, Australia in 1964.
