A teen who built Bluebird model pays tribute to Donald Campbell 58 years on from his death

The famous hydroplane was recovered from Coniston waters in 2001 and returned to Ruskin Museum in 2024. Credit: ITV Border.

A teenager who has made his own model of the iconic Bluebird hydroplane says 'I wish I could have met Donald Campbell' as the public attend a ceremony marking the famous pilot's death.

People came together to celebrate the life of Donald Campbell - marking 58 years since his death - during a ceremony on 4 January 2025.

The world water speed record-breaker Donald Campbell was killed in his Bluebird K7 on 4 January 1967.

Daniel Gaunt, 15, whose family love the story of Donald Campbell, created a model replica of the Bluebird K7. He said: "I first went to Coniston in 2023 when I was 13-years-old and I just got into the Bluebird - and now she's back.

"To help me with the design I came here to take photos and the rest is from the eye."

Speaking about what inspired him to replicate the hydroplane, he added: "The design and how she works. It's amazing, I love what Donald Campbell did. He's a very good man, I wish I could have met him and so does my grandad."

This year marked a unique moment with it being the first time pilot Campbell and the iconic Bluebird K7 were reunited for a ceremony.

The famous hydroplane was recovered from Coniston waters in 2001 and returned to Ruskin Museum in 2024.


World speed records set by Donald Campbell:

- 202.32 mph (325.60 km/h), in the Water Bluebird K7, Ullswater, 23 July 1955

- 216.20 mph (347.94 km/h), in the Water Bluebird K7, Lake Mead, 16 November 1955

- 225.63 mph (363.12 km/h), in the Water Bluebird K7, Coniston Water, 19 September 1956

- 239.07 mph (384.75 km/h), in the Water Bluebird K7, Coniston Water, 7 November 1957

- 248.62 mph (400.12 km/h), in the Water Bluebird K7, Coniston Water, 10 November 1958

- 260.35 mph (418.99 km/h), in the Water Bluebird K7, Coniston Water, 14 May 1959

- 276.33 mph (444.71 km/h), in the Water Bluebird K7, Lake Dumbleyung, 31 December 1964

- 403.10 mph (648.73 km/h), in the Land Bluebird CN 7, Lake Eyre, 17 July 1964


Gina Campbell, Donald's daughter, says she is "extremely humbled and proud to be his daughter".

People came together to celebrate the life of Donald Campbell during a ceremony on 4 January 2025. Credit: ITV Border.

She said: "I have to pinch myself and say my dad would be very touched that he is remembered after all these years.

"He didn't do it to receive a public display, he did it to achieve a great goal. They were milestones in British history and world water record-breaking.

"Now to have the culmination of Bluebird here in her purpose built home, safe in dry land, all cosy and tucked away for visitors to view - it's the cherry on the cake."

The Ruskin Museum has seen footfall 'jet-power' through the door. Jeff Carroll, Chair of the Ruskin Museum, says more than 60,000 people have visited the museum since its return home. Normally up to 11,000 visitors visit the museum in Coniston every year.

Jeff said: "This is what it's all about, it's about showing Bluebird, remembering Donald, the team and the amazing engineering.

"A lot of people felt the need to come and commemorate his death especially as Donald and the boat are reunited.

"When you look at the boat it was originally built in the 1950s and it still looks space age now. There's only really one man that has been faster than Donald since 1967, that goes to show he was really at the edge of it.

"This is what the museum is trying to show people - this is really special."

Anthony Robinson worked on the Bluebird engineering team in 1966. He said: "I saw the Bluebird come back in March last year, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up - it brought all those memories back.

"It's amazing how after all these years Donald's legacy still stands. I think he would have been very touched by it all... especially that we've got the boat back in one piece.

"He was one of the last schoolboy hero types, he was right at the end of that era. There was something about Donald and Bluebird that struck a chord [with people] and it's still doing that today."

The Ruskin Museum has seen footfall 'jet-power' through the door. Credit: ITV Border.

With discussions ongoing about the Bluebird returning to the Coniston water, Anthony believes it will be special to be able to see it in action again.

He added: "I've got slight things about it because the only person to sit in Bluebird's cockpit was Donald unless you were there for a good reason or he gave you permission. There's the thought of somebody else sitting in the cockpit and driving it.

"But I think because we'll be able to see it again and we'll be able to record the noise of the engine which can be played in the museum - yes, maybe once."


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