I was very fortunate to have met Donald on quite a few occasions while I was in Coniston. I had moved from London in 1955 up to Blackburn and one of my neighbours was a film camera man for the ITN so when Donald was going for the record he would put me in the car with his kids and speed of up to Coniston I was 11years old when I first met him he could be a little bit grumpy before an attempt on the lake I well remember the flotilla of small boats that would scour the lake for any debris. I wont bore you much longer because I was on my way to Australia on Christmas day of 1966 and I have a photograph on my wall showing Donald putting in a bit of practice on Coniston I was devastated when I was told that Donald had died in an accident on the 4th of January 1967. I have often been back to Coniston usually every two years now I think that the next trip may be my last as I am now 74 years old and I don't get around easily I always put some wild roses on his memorial stone which is next to the café. Thanks for taking time to read my story. Michael Bentley.
Excellent footage - some of which I've not seen before - thumbs up from me !! Thanx for posting. Donald was a True British Icon, Hero & all round good guy. He deserves masses if respect as his bravery & deep sense of humility were integral aspects of his persona. Fate can be cruel & death imminent. RIP Donald Campbell Peace !! Rx
+Eric George A real man is never afraid to admit when he's shit scared, no macho blag about the man at all. He must have been a lot of fun to have been around.
+Eric George I was reading somewhere about an attempt at the water-speed record in more recent times and they were having trouble getting their well-designed boat to do 200 mph. Anywhere near 300 mph is actually quite difficult to account for. Btw Leo Villa took a lot of stereo photographs and there is a book called the 'Bluebird Album' out there.
Thank you for this, I ended up identifying with Mr Campbell entirely, especially re those in armchairs, my only disappointment, is after he mentions being punched on the nose... He didn't punch that interviewer, then say "rather like that" or something. He needed reminding, that none of us unfortunately are going to live forever, so why not dedicate your life trying to do something remarkable! I raise my enormous mug of tea, and salute you Sir Donald Campbell!
I have original photos of this machine because my father was a truck driver and he delivered it for Donald's dad somewhere when I was a boy. I forget where I took them. I had them blown up by a professional photographer in London.
I was very fortunate to have met Donald on quite a few occasions while I was in Coniston. I had moved from London in 1955 up to Blackburn and one of my neighbours was a film camera man for the ITN so when Donald was going for the record he would put me in the car with his kids and speed of up to Coniston I was 11years old when I first met him he could be a little bit grumpy before an attempt on the lake I well remember the flotilla of small boats that would scour the lake for any debris. I wont bore you much longer because I was on my way to Australia on Christmas day of 1966 and I have a photograph on my wall showing Donald putting in a bit of practice on Coniston I was devastated when I was told that Donald had died in an accident on the 4th of January 1967. I have often been back to Coniston usually every two years now I think that the next trip may be my last as I am now 74 years old and I don't get around easily I always put some wild roses on his memorial stone which is next to the café. Thanks for taking time to read my story. Michael Bentley.
Excellent footage - some of which I've not seen before - thumbs up from me !! Thanx for posting. Donald was a True British Icon, Hero & all round good guy. He deserves masses if respect as his bravery & deep sense of humility were integral aspects of his persona. Fate can be cruel & death imminent. RIP Donald Campbell Peace !! Rx
An amazing clip about a brave man. One of a kind.
+Eric George A real man is never afraid to admit when he's shit scared, no macho blag about the man at all. He must have been a lot of fun to have been around.
3replybiz Not a snowflakes chance in hell could I have done what he did. That is why I have so much respect for the bloke.
+Eric George I was reading somewhere about an attempt at the water-speed record in more recent times and they were having trouble getting their well-designed boat to do 200 mph. Anywhere near 300 mph is actually quite difficult to account for. Btw Leo Villa took a lot of stereo photographs and there is a book called the 'Bluebird Album' out there.
3replybiz That is a book I would love to get my hands on.
Brilliant Graham. Very impressed.
Very brave man 👌 true British pioneer RIP great man 💗
Fantastic. Thank you.
Thank you for this, I ended up identifying with Mr Campbell entirely, especially re those in armchairs, my only disappointment, is after he mentions being punched on the nose... He didn't punch that interviewer, then say "rather like that" or something. He needed reminding, that none of us unfortunately are going to live forever, so why not dedicate your life trying to do something remarkable! I raise my enormous mug of tea, and salute you Sir Donald Campbell!
Amazing to see how fast K7 accelerates when it starts to plane.
Yes, it is an astounding sight. And how exciting to anticipate seeing her accelerate again, when she is fully restored.
jimbilton1956 a sight I had the pleasure of seeing just two days ago 🙂
Great video old boy. Lots of footage I haven't seen before. Well done.
brilliant graham proud to be british
Great footage. Thanks for sharing
I have original photos of this machine because my father was a truck driver and he delivered it for Donald's dad somewhere when I was a boy. I forget where I took them. I had them blown up by a professional photographer in London.
Photos to keep
Anyone comparable spring to mind? No. Quite. We will never see the like unless a brave footballer or banker steps up to the mark. Come on you heros!
the e-type jag the classic British car
GLM 37C still tax and on the road!
Still on the road as of 2018