Description: DONALD CAMPBELL AT SPEED ON CONISTON WATER TODAY ON HIS FIRST RUN: 1957: PRESS PHOTOGRAPHDATE: NOV 6TH 1957 DETAILS: A press photograph of Blue Bird in 1957. PUBLISHER: Not stated but stamp of Shields Gazette Archive to the reverseSIZE: 22.8cm x 16.5cm including margins CONDITION: IN GOOD, CLEAN CONDITION WITH A FEW MARKS, AGE-TONING, SPOTTING AND CREASING. IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE OF THE SHIELDS GAZETTELOCATION: MAP DRAWER C: FOLDER 3004: 3009H Donald Campbell was a British speed record breaker who followed in the footsteps of his father, Sir Malcolm Campbell, in setting world records on both land and water. He is most famous for his daring attempts to break speed records, often facing significant personal and technical challenges. His life was marked by both extraordinary successes and a tragic end.Early Life and Background:Birth and Family: Donald Malcolm Campbell was born on March 23, 1921, in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England. Growing up as the son of Sir Malcolm Campbell, he was deeply influenced by his father's achievements in land and water speed records.Speed Record Attempts:Bluebird Legacy: Like his father, Donald named his vehicles "Bluebird." He sought to break records both on land and water, using advanced technology and pushing the limits of engineering.Land Speed Records:Attempt at Bonneville: In 1960, Campbell attempted to break the land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah with his Bluebird CN7 car. However, the car crashed at speeds of around 360 mph, and Campbell was seriously injured. He survived and eventually set a new land speed record in 1964 at Lake Eyre, Australia, reaching 403.10 mph (648.73 km/h).Water Speed Records:Coniston Water: Donald Campbell is best known for his water speed record attempts on Coniston Water in the Lake District, England. Between 1955 and 1964, he set seven water speed records in his Bluebird K7 hydroplane.World Record: On December 31, 1964, he set his most famous water speed record, reaching 276.33 mph (444.71 km/h) on Lake Dumbleyung in Western Australia. This made him the only person to set both land and water speed records in the same year.Tragic End:Final Attempt: On January 4, 1967, Campbell made a tragic attempt to break his own water speed record at Coniston Water. His Bluebird K7 hydroplane, traveling at over 300 mph, became airborne and flipped, crashing into the water. Campbell was killed instantly, and his body was not recovered until over 30 years later, in 2001. The wreck of Bluebird K7 was also recovered and has since been restored.Legacy: Courage and Determination: Donald Campbell is remembered as a man of great courage and determination. His relentless pursuit of speed, despite the dangers, has made him a legendary figure in the history of motor and water sports. Posthumous Recognition: After his death, Campbell was widely honoured for his achievements. He was awarded the Segrave Trophy posthumously in 1967, and his life and exploits continue to be commemorated through books, documentaries, and restored versions of his vehicles. Donald Campbell's story is one of ambition, technical innovation, and the human spirit's quest for pushing the boundaries of what is possible. His life, though cut tragically short, has left an enduring legacy in the world of speed records. Donald Campbell's Blue Birds: Continuing the Legacy: Donald Campbell inherited his father’s passion for speed and continued using the "Bluebird" name for both his land and water record attempts. Bluebird K7:Hydroplane: The Bluebird K7 was a jet-powered hydroplane used by Donald Campbell to set seven water speed records during the 1950s and 1960s. This craft was innovative for its time, utilizing a jet engine to achieve extraordinary speeds on water.Tragic End: The K7 was involved in Campbell’s fatal 1967 attempt to break the 300 mph barrier on water at Coniston Water, where it crashed, leading to his death. Bluebird CN7:Land Speed Record Car: Donald Campbell also sought to break land speed records with the Bluebird CN7, a turbine-powered car designed to exceed 500 mph. After recovering from a crash in 1960, Campbell successfully set a new land speed record of 403.10 mph (648.73 km/h) at Lake Eyre in Australia in 1964.Restoration and Legacy: Restoration Projects: Both Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell’s Blue Bird vehicles have been subjects of restoration projects. The Bluebird K7, in particular, has been restored after its recovery from Coniston Water and is displayed as a tribute to Campbell’s legacy. Cultural Impact: The Blue Bird name remains a powerful symbol of British engineering, innovation, and the human spirit’s quest for speed. The vehicles and boats bearing this name are celebrated in museums, documentaries, and books, continuing to inspire future generations. The Blue Bird vehicles, in both their land and water forms, are iconic representations of a period of intense technological development and human determination. They are remembered not only for the records they set but also for the vision and courage of the men who drove them. Free tracked UK postage. For overseas orders we use Royal Mail International Tracked. This is one of our large range of Formula 1 original press photographs, please view our other listings or make an appointment to visit us. Trading since 1976 in Ripon, North Yorkshire, Hornseys' specialises in fine quality products across many different ranges. Thank you for looking.
Price: 25 GBP
Location: Ripon, North Yorkshire
End Time: 2024-11-08T12:33:35.000Z
Shipping Cost: 15.58 GBP
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Item Specifics
Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 30 days
Type: Photographs
Autographed: No
Sport: Motor Sport
Period: 1950s
Motor Sport Type: Water Speed Record
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
