A magical moment of man’s love affair with speed will be re-run this Friday evening when Malcolm Campbell’s legendary Bluebird, restored to its former glory, takes to the water once more on Lake Maggiore in Switzerland, revisiting the site of its historic world record triumph of 129.5 mph in 1937. The attempt is being made to reach his record speed once again.

In 1937 Sir Malcolm Campbell commissioned a powerboat to be made to attempt to break the world water speed record which was currently held by America.

He used the same Rolls Royce type R supercharged racing aero engine that was fitted to his car when he achieved the land speed record two years earlier. The boat was named Blue Bird K3.

Blue bird after the car and K3 was the designation given by Lloyds underwriters .

He decided to use Lake Maggiore in Switzerland, as the venue for the attempt as surrounded by mountains the water was calm.

On 1st September 1937 he set a record of 126.32 mph and the next day improved on this at 129.5 mph.

After returning to England he decided that the boat was not capable of going any faster so it was sold to make way for the next project. K3 went to several owners before being purchased by Paul Foulkes Halbard in 1988. His intention was to restore the boat and take it to Lake Maggiore again to re-enact the record attempt.

Sadly he passed away before this could happen so it has been down to his son Karl to carry on with the project.

It has taken several years to totally restore the boat ready to take to the water again. It was decided not to use the fragile and very expensive Type R racing engine but to replace it with the non supercharged Rolls Royce Meteor model.

The first and successful water trials with this come-back project took place at Bewl Water in Kentsome months ago and it was decide that she was ready to go to Switzerland ..

Several meetings have taken place with the authorities in Locarno where the boat will enter the Lake and it was decided to celebrate the water speed record at the festival which takes place this weekend. It will take place on Friday afternoon/ evening when all other boats will not be allowed to sail.

The boat will remain on show by the lake on the transporter until that time and again on Saturday and will return on Sunday .

 

The post VIDEO: MALCOLM CAMPBELL’S BLUEBIRD WATER RECORD SPEED HOLDER FROM 1937 GETS READY TO GO AGAIN appeared first on All At Sea.