Celebrate Bluebird’s homecoming with a Campbell extravaganza!

The legendary Bluebird K7 Hydroplane replica at the Lakeland Motor Museum

News that the famous Bluebird jet hydroplane is returning to its spiritual home at Coniston has led to a surge in interest in the amazing story of Donald and Malcolm Campbell.

The Lakeland Motor Museum is urging people to find out more about the Campbell speed king dynasty by visiting its own extensive Campbell Bluebird Exhibition which tells their incredible story.

The stars of the show are a full sized replicas of the legendary Bluebird K7 Hydroplane, the 1935 Bluebird Car and the 1939 Bluebird K4 Powerboat.

As well as the chance to get hands on with the stunning vehicles of their record breaking era, the exhibition also includes hundreds of pieces of Bluebird memorabilia.

“Our tribute to Donald Campbell and his father Sir Malcolm Campbell takes you back in time to when big personalities, bravery and technology were pushed to the limit,” explains Chris Lowe, Curator at the Lakeland Motor Museum in Backbarrow.

Recent media coverage of the impending return of the original K7 Hydroplane to Coniston has led to a lot of interest in the Campbell’s story.

“Our exhibition, housed in its own unique building, tells their incredible story with full sized replicas of the vehicles, engine displays, timelines and an audio visual display.”

There’s even a chance to see Bluebird Electric 1 which broke the British speed record for an electric vehicle in 1997 when it hit 116mph. It was developed and driven by Don Wales, the grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and raised the record to 137mph in August 2000.

Along with the vehicles famed for speed records the exhibition contains more everyday vehicles belonging to the Campbell family. There’s a 1954 Land Rover which was once owned by Donald Campbell.

And the main museum also houses a stunning Bentley in Bluebird blue which also belonged to Donald Campbell. Campbell bought the Bentley in February 1949. He had a personal St Christopher badge made which is still in position on the dashboard.

(Left) Donald Campbell's Bentley at Lakeland Motor Museum and (Right) the 1939 Bluebird K4 boat

Chris Lowe, Manager of the museum, says: “The Campbell exhibition is steeped in history and it’s a great reminder of the record-breaking legacy of Malcolm and Donald Campbell. When you see the vehicles, you can’t help but marvel at the legendary feats of speed they have taken part in. They really are part of a proud British history.”

The original K7 Bluebird which was recovered from Coniston Water in 2001, having lain there since the fatal crash in 1967 when Donald Campbell died, will return to the Ruskin Museum in Coniston in the next few weeks.