Bluebird K7
| Bluebird K7 | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Water speed record |
| Manufacturer | Samlesbury Engineering (hull) Metropolitan-Vickers (Beryl engine 1955-1966) Bristol Siddeley (Orpheus engine 1966-1967) |
| Designer | Norris Brothers |
| Primary user | Donald Campbell |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | January 1955 |
| Retired | January 1967 |
Bluebird K7 is a jet engined hydroplane in which Britain's Donald Campbell set seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1967. K7 was the first successful jet-powered hydroplane, and was considered revolutionary when launched in January 1955. Campbell and K7 were responsible for adding almost 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) to the water speed record, taking it from existing mark of 178 miles per hour (286 km/h) to just over 276 miles per hour (444 km/h). Donald Campbell was killed in an accident with a much modified K7, on 4 January 1967, whilst making a bid for his eighth water speed record, with his aim to raise the record to over 300 miles per hour (480 km/h) on Coniston Water.
In 1996, a diving team using sonar equipment started an underwater survey, locating anew the K7 wreckage. Subsequently, it was recovered between 2000 and 2007, while Campbell's body was recovered in 2001.