Absolutely brilliant! Well done Bill Smith and his team...great vid and wonderful tribute to Donald Campbell CBE. RIP Donald, true grit British Hero, never to be forgotten record breaker! We salute you once again!
EXCELLENT! I've been following the restoration ever since they recovered the wreckage; been in touch in their guestbook and via email. Been waiting to see this for SO LONG! Great job gang!
I am absolutely over the moon that Bill and the team have got K7 to this stage, as a Campbell fan it brought a tear to my eye. The amount of work, time and dedication to get K7 back on the water is truly outstanding. Congratulations to all... :)
What a great display of power and wonderful efforts provided by the resurrection and restoration teams. Two men living in the California Mojave Desert always are thankful for any water videos. Thank you for your efforts we are very proud to get to see this event take place.
This is an amazing story to follow ! You know it surprises me the design of the boat for as old as it is . Looks like it still the right way to go . I'm so grateful to be able to see this and I think it was worth the time and the money ........
I watched Donald flip this when I was a kid, never thought I would see it run again, I have built an rc one, which is on my channel, I am a subscriber of the Bluebird project but did not know it was going to be back on the lake, maybe next time I can get up there if I know.
So good to see and hear bluebird thunder across the lake the guys who spent all those years must be proud to see her doing what she does best well done lads very well done!
If this doesn't move you, please ask a medical professional to check that you have a pulse. AWESOME. I didn't think I'd see Bluebird K7 ever run again.
Thanks for sharing this 😉 I found photos from my dad that shows the actual test run with Donald Campbell 51years ago - 3 days before his last ever run. so this is truly amazing 👍 Garry
Hats off to the team of dedicated heroes who have brought this beautiful and amazing piece of history back to life and where it belongs ...on the water ....now all that's left is to finish Campbell work and break that record ...then truly the man can rest knowing he was right .....fantastic sight ...thank you 😊😊
Bill Smith,Well done.Your commitment to this project has been awesome.I'm hoping to book for Coniston when she arrives there but no doubt that place will be full and more than expensive.
Just wonderful to see this "Bird" fly again. Must be mixed emotions from family members but I am old enough to remember Donald Campbell, a great British guy who made you feel proud.
My God that thing wants to go!, I can't believe they've done it,who would ever of thought it, 34 yeats lost at the bottom of a lake, now wizzing along like it used to again, the legacy of the man and his crew will live on forever now.
I believe that the hull is supposed to be capable of 340-350 mph Campbell crashed at around 300 mph and the theory is that he did not refuel at the end of first run and time was running out in which to set new record so on return run boat was lighter and less stable hence the power to weight balance was not same as 1 st run and the rest is history. It’s a brave man to drive a boat at that kind of speed
well done everyone! - what's minimum speed to hydroplane? seems higher than I expected... cut the throttle and she's almost a submarine! Take care Guys.
There is Nothing more to be said that the Norris Brothers knew what they were doing when they designed this boat. STUNNING, simply STUNNING!! EAT MY SHORTS Ken Warby (j/k he's a great guy).
That’s rite and you poms are jealous that a wooden jet boat built with fuck all budget smashed the record THIRTY REPEAT THIRTY years ago. If Ken warby was a Pom he’d have been sir Ken by now and strutting about in the stuck up circles of the British. He’s a quiet achiever and wouldn’t stand for that shit.
Captain Kaos Yeah but only because you are our dodgy convict offspring ;) plus on the speed front we were the 1st to go faster than sound in a car... a record we still hold.
From the time before CAD and computer simulation. Impressive they could get it back together and running. Gotta be a bit crazy though knowing what happened the last time it was in the lake. Bravo to the crew that restored her! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
When I was about 4 years old, my father was stationed at a NATO Air Base in Britain (1957-1960). Mom and Dad heard that Sir Donald Campbell would be doing practice runs in this vehicle on the weekend on a lake near Dad's work. I think it was a Saturday and Sunday. Mom packed a picnic lunch for me, my brother, herself and Dad and off we went to watch Campbell. As I recall, the Bluebird had a short or non-existant vertical fin and a Union Jack on the fuselage at this time. I am not sure which incarnation of the Bluebird we were watching. We went out to this lake where the Bluebird was parked next to a small dock. A small group was working on the boat. Our viewpoint was a gently sloping field that went down to the water. The Bluebird was at the tiny wharf on the opposite shore. It began to lightly sprinkle a summer rain and the wind began to pick up a bit. After waiting several hours we heard the water had gotten too choppy for real practice runs so Sir Donald decided to do several test passes at a relatively low speed. So, after a few more minutes the Blubird was pushed away from the small dock and the jet engine was started with a loud bang and a lot of smoke. We sat and watched the small brightly painted vessel move out to the middle of the lake. The crowd began to grow in spite of the misty rain falling. We huddled under a large umbrella and wrapped up in blankets. Sir Donald revved up the jet engine and began a short run down the lake. He quickly disappeared down to one end of the lake. After a couple of minutes we spotted a small rooster tail on the lake and the Bluebird raced past with a roar. It was some test run! The PA announcer said the Bluebird went about 100kph on the first pass. We watched several passes and each time, the announcer said the Bluebird went by about 25kph faster with each pass. It began to rain more and more and the announcer stated the practice runs for the day had to end due to the increasing wind and waves. As I recall the Bluebird went a maximum of about 175-200kph that day. For 2 small kids who had never seen anything like it, it was an awesome day. I was very saddened a few years later when I saw the video of the crash on the news.
It's wonderful to see this beautiful machine doing its job again, but does anybody know why Loch Fad was chosen for the test run instead of Coniston Water?
Because they wanted it to happen and made it happen. The authorities at Coniston got themselves in such a state and put so many obsticles in the way it was impossible to run there.
It's the real thing. There is an agreement to do these tests, and then retire it to a museum. No high-speed runs (unless you consider a mere 150 mph as "high speed".)
I can still remember sitting on my mother's floor as a little lad staring up at the black and white TV pictures of the news on the day that Donald crashed. Wow, that's all I can say - just wow....
What an awesome achievement to rebuild the legendary Bluebird. I only hope that one day it will finish what Donald started and hit it's max on Coniston.
Yeah & break Warbys record . Donald was within a fraction of a second of being the first past 300mph . Personally I think the boat & Donald should of been left in the water at
Witnessed Sr. Malcomb Campbell make some record runs with Blue Bird on a finger lake in New York. I stood on the dock and watched him board. Did not know, at the time, the history I was watching.
Amazing to see that beast running! It would be cool if the current land speed record holder got into the record for water wonder what it would look like?.
I could take you to the house where we were holidaying and saw Sir Donald's death live on the TV news. It was inconceivable that a man who had cheated death in the bluebird car, and then so recently beaten the record right here in Australia could die so violently and so quickly. My congrats to these typically British anoraks bringing history back to such glorious life.....
Absolutely brilliant! Well done Bill Smith and his team...great vid and wonderful tribute to Donald Campbell CBE. RIP Donald, true grit British Hero, never to be forgotten record breaker! We salute you once again!
I was watching the video, and I felt a chill all over. Spectacular achievement!
Well done to the team . A quite astonishing effort to put this craft back on the water.
EXCELLENT! I've been following the restoration ever since they recovered the wreckage; been in touch in their guestbook and via email. Been waiting to see this for SO LONG! Great job gang!
I remember coming home from school aged 8 and seeing it flip up. Now I come home from work and there it is going again. Magic
You have brought tears to my eyes. Thank you!
Been following this project for years. Literally shouted out loud when I saw her come up on the plane. Superb!
I am absolutely over the moon that Bill and the team have got K7 to this stage, as a Campbell fan it brought a tear to my eye. The amount of work, time and dedication to get K7 back on the water is truly outstanding. Congratulations to all... :)
What a great display of power and wonderful efforts provided by the resurrection and restoration teams. Two men living in the California Mojave Desert always are thankful for any water videos. Thank you for your efforts we are very proud to get to see this event take place.
Has to be one of the best restorations ever.... magnificent effort...
do you ride a red triumph?
Power sliding. ...An XJR1300
Brilliant work.Well done everyone.
Whatever you do, don't let Richard Hammond near it!
Too bloody right.............
Awesome stuff.....Love to see it again on a calm body of water.
This is an amazing story to follow ! You know it surprises me the design of the boat for as old as it is . Looks like it still the right way to go . I'm so grateful to be able to see this and I think it was worth the time and the money ........
Wow! Absolutely fantastic this sweet pigeon wants to run! Incredible video lovely people
Fantastic, what an awesome video. i paused it around 4;26, perfect shot, would look excellent framed.
Cracking piece of history, thanks for sharing
Out of this world.... A dream come true
Fantastic, I have watched all the films about this.
Thank you for making my spine tingle.
that is Insane, what a piece of History.. Awsome!!!!!!!!!
absolutely stunning !! British and best yet again !!
FANTASTIC! Well done to all the team involved, thanks fellas, you've done us all proud:)
I watched Donald flip this when I was a kid, never thought I would see it run again, I have built an rc one, which is on my channel, I am a subscriber of the Bluebird project but did not know it was going to be back on the lake, maybe next time I can get up there if I know.
same here he was my hero..... love your model Bluebird by the way :)
Blacklamass Cool RC Model, how fast will it go?? 😎
So good to see and hear bluebird thunder across the lake the guys who spent all those years must be proud to see her doing what she does best well done lads very well done!
Well done to all involved with re-creating apiece of history in this way.
If this doesn't move you, please ask a medical professional to check that you have a pulse. AWESOME. I didn't think I'd see Bluebird K7 ever run again.
Amazing well done, I hope he would be proud he’s not forgotten
Great footage. Thanks for putting this on here.
Wow! Looks ungainly until it sits up on it's sponsons and then it's just beautiful as it picks up speed.
Thanks for sharing.
Totally heroic piloting that infernal beautiful 'Bird'
Thanks for sharing this 😉
I found photos from my dad that shows the actual test run with Donald Campbell 51years ago - 3 days before his last ever run.
so this is truly amazing 👍
Garry
One of the best videos I have seen yet of the tests.
Just beautiful - Tnx for sharing !
Awesome. Well done to all involved, an amazing achievement.
Fantastic I saw this on a trailer at Wemssbay, I was like that's a fast boat Keep up the good work good vid
Wow finally seeing it doing a proper run, amazing sight!
A great video thanks. I also remember Donald Campbell losing it, a very sad day in my memory.
Hats off to the team of dedicated heroes who have brought this beautiful and amazing piece of history back to life and where it belongs ...on the water ....now all that's left is to finish Campbell work and break that record ...then truly the man can rest knowing he was right .....fantastic sight ...thank you 😊😊
Bill Smith,Well done.Your commitment to this project has been awesome.I'm hoping to book for Coniston when she arrives there but no doubt that place will be full and more than expensive.
I heard about this, now I see. Amazing, to the people who made it possible, thank you.
Just fantastic !!! If that doesn't bring a lump to your throat your already dead ! That old Bristol just wants her head !
well done.. simply great achievement.
That is absolutely AWESOME , bloody wondrous .................
Just wonderful to see this "Bird" fly again. Must be mixed emotions from family members but I am old enough to remember Donald Campbell, a great British guy who made you feel proud.
My God that thing wants to go!, I can't believe they've done it,who would ever of thought it, 34 yeats lost at the bottom of a lake, now wizzing along like it used to again, the legacy of the man and his crew will live on forever now.
paul Flattery it's not like it used to, it could easily do 200 mph, but they will rarely allow it.
tanklord99 da boss what speed did it crash at?
paul Flattery 300 mph give or take a little bit
I believe that the hull is supposed to be capable of 340-350 mph Campbell crashed at around 300 mph and the theory is that he did not refuel at the end of first run and time was running out in which to set new record so on return run boat was lighter and less stable hence the power to weight balance was not same as 1 st run and the rest is history. It’s a brave man to drive a boat at that kind of speed
Does anyone have any idea what speed was reached during this trial run?
What a beautiful piece of history exceptional job 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
well done everyone! - what's minimum speed to hydroplane? seems higher than I expected... cut the throttle and she's almost a submarine! Take care Guys.
You folks ought to visit the Isle of Bute, where this historical event was recorded - it's a stunning place!
There is Nothing more to be said that the Norris Brothers knew what they were doing when they designed this boat.
STUNNING, simply STUNNING!!
EAT MY SHORTS Ken Warby (j/k he's a great guy).
Makes you realise what a brilliant and very brave man Campbell was. in days when the UK led the world in so many ways ...
Spot the penis!
HINT: It's David. Probably a fucking American.
Talkie Toaster or an Australian since they actually hold the record now.
That’s rite and you poms are jealous that a wooden jet boat built with fuck all budget smashed the record THIRTY REPEAT THIRTY years ago. If Ken warby was a Pom he’d have been sir Ken by now and strutting about in the stuck up circles of the British. He’s a quiet achiever and wouldn’t stand for that shit.
Captain Kaos Yeah but only because you are our dodgy convict offspring ;) plus on the speed front we were the 1st to go faster than sound in a car... a record we still hold.
Incredible !!!
If that doesn’t make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, I don’t know what will.
manboobs congratulations, you managed to curdle my beer. Lol
How do the skiers see through all that spray?
Fantastic stuff!
Now that it is "up" and running again, what is the plan and the purpose?
Just FANTASTIC !
Glorious sight!
Donald would be so proud!
From the time before CAD and computer simulation. Impressive they could get it back together and running. Gotta be a bit crazy though knowing what happened the last time it was in the lake. Bravo to the crew that restored her! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
When I was about 4 years old, my father was stationed at a NATO Air Base in Britain (1957-1960). Mom and Dad heard that Sir Donald Campbell would be doing practice runs in this vehicle on the weekend on a lake near Dad's work. I think it was a Saturday and Sunday. Mom packed a picnic lunch for me, my brother, herself and Dad and off we went to watch Campbell. As I recall, the Bluebird had a short or non-existant vertical fin and a Union Jack on the fuselage at this time. I am not sure which incarnation of the Bluebird we were watching. We went out to this lake where the Bluebird was parked next to a small dock. A small group was working on the boat. Our viewpoint was a gently sloping field that went down to the water. The Bluebird was at the tiny wharf on the opposite shore. It began to lightly sprinkle a summer rain and the wind began to pick up a bit. After waiting several hours we heard the water had gotten too choppy for real practice runs so Sir Donald decided to do several test passes at a relatively low speed. So, after a few more minutes the Blubird was pushed away from the small dock and the jet engine was started with a loud bang and a lot of smoke. We sat and watched the small brightly painted vessel move out to the middle of the lake.
The crowd began to grow in spite of the misty rain falling. We huddled under a large umbrella and wrapped up in blankets. Sir Donald revved up the jet engine and began a short run down the lake. He quickly disappeared down to one end of the lake. After a couple of minutes we spotted a small rooster tail on the lake and the Bluebird raced past with a roar. It was some test run! The PA announcer said the Bluebird went about 100kph on the first pass. We watched several passes and each time, the announcer said the Bluebird went by about 25kph faster with each pass. It began to rain more and more and the announcer stated the practice runs for the day had to end due to the increasing wind and waves. As I recall the Bluebird went a maximum of about 175-200kph that day. For 2 small kids who had never seen anything like it, it was an awesome day. I was very saddened a few years later when I saw the video of the crash on the news.
thanks for sharing that piece of history
Have they fitted a new jet engine or reconditioned the original engine ?
So will Gina be driving this at some stage?
I have a photo of me looking at the Bluebird on the shore at Coniston Water. Not sure if Donald was there. Some work was going on.
Donald, I sincerely hope is smiling. Well done lads, Bluebird lives again.
It's wonderful to see this beautiful machine doing its job again, but does anybody know why Loch Fad was chosen for the test run instead of Coniston Water?
Because they wanted it to happen and made it happen. The authorities at Coniston got themselves in such a state and put so many obsticles in the way it was impossible to run there.
I had a good idea it would be something along those lines before I asked. Beauracracy has no boundaries - it desecrates everything indiscriminately.
magnificent. does it still use the original engine?
At first I thought this was a reproduction or a model, if it is the actual craft that Sir Donald used, I'm in awe totally.
It's the real thing. There is an agreement to do these tests, and then retire it to a museum. No high-speed runs (unless you consider a mere 150 mph as "high speed".)
Is the jet sound added in?
the increase in speed when it started to plane was incredible.
I can still remember sitting on my mother's floor as a little lad staring up at the black and white TV pictures of the news on the day that Donald crashed. Wow, that's all I can say - just wow....
Nice!!👍take it easy on her😀
Great video indeed!
Donald Campbell would be so proud off those people have done with k7
History being made again, very pleasing indeed..... Does it run an Avon Engine?
Excellent keep posting this is great viewing. 👍
What an awesome achievement to rebuild the legendary Bluebird. I only hope that one day it will finish what Donald started and hit it's max on Coniston.
A book said " Tree lined & cool a beautiful place to lie " . Now shes restored let's bring the record home for DONALD .
Yeah & break Warbys record . Donald was within a fraction of a second of being the first past 300mph . Personally I think the boat & Donald should of been left in the water at
Witnessed Sr. Malcomb Campbell make some record runs with Blue Bird on a finger lake in New York. I stood on the dock and watched him board. Did not know, at the time, the history I was watching.
Amazing to see that beast running! It would be cool if the current land speed record holder got into the record for water wonder what it would look like?.
I'm sure Andy Green is not that foolish.
Spirits me away, this. 58yo ex-owner k7 bath toy
Never occurred to me before but she looks like something out of Thunderbirds!
Great, vid that looks so much better under a bit more power 😊
What a great sight.
Best of luck
Was Mr. Whoppit the teddy bear Mascot on board for the ride?
Looks to be great day for a surf board.
Is this modified to stop the front lifting, or is it original spec? If it's original, what measures do you need to take so this one doesn't lift?
Engine seems to be ingesting tons of water at low to medium speeds
with these choppy waters,vibration must of been horrendous.
Any idea of speed?
Great question. Was wondering same regarding speed...
Fantastic!!!
Should make another The Great Out Doors movie and have this as the thing pulling the unfortunate skier.
Didn't this boat get trashed in a record attempt?
nice to see, looks quite windy and choppy though!
Is this an exact replica or something?
Does anyone know how many m.p.h.?
Thank you in advance -
I could take you to the house where we were holidaying and saw Sir Donald's death live on the TV news. It was inconceivable that a man who had cheated death in the bluebird car, and then so recently beaten the record right here in Australia could die so violently and so quickly. My congrats to these typically British anoraks bringing history back to such glorious life.....
Has Bluebird been modified in some way to prevent the same tragedy from happening again?
Who is the driver?
Donald Campbell would be proud of this day.
Was his body ever found ? Was the front section found ?
Yes & Yes. There is a RUclips video on it!
what engine is in it?
Looks like quite choppy water even before she make a run?