Off - Piste

[Keith Mitchell]

--- and again ---:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... crash.html
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/ ... l_rumours/
http://www.express.co.uk/ourcomments/vi ... erse-world

[Keith Mitchell]

After the huge success of the initial book launch there will be a second signing session by Gina Campbell, Neil Sheppard and myself at the Ruskin Museum, Coniston on Thurs. 3rd Nov. at 3pm as part of Coniston Race Week.

Also present will be Mike Varndell to sign copies of his new book ' The British are Coming' a pictorial history of british speed record-breaking.

Why not come along and have a good day out watching the high-speed hydroplanes and powerboats, a coffee at the lakeside Bluebird Cafe and then up to the Museum ----.
K.

[Paul Holt]

I would love to be there on thursday but work prevents. Look forward to seeing Bluebird K7 in all her glory. Went a couple of years back when they had the unrestored tail fin on display. Seeing that for the first time was moving enough.

[Keith Mitchell]

Just heard yesterday that the publishers have sold-out the initial print run which, of course, Neil and I are thrilled about.

I still have a small stock of signed special editions (£80) and signed standard editions (£30) that I can bring to the AGM for anyone interested ----.

Cheers,
K.

[Keith Mitchell]

.... for those interested in this topic, Gina Campbell - daughter of the record-breaker - is to publish her own story 'Daughter of Bluebird' this Autumn, see:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daughter-Bluebi ... f_gw_p_t_2

[Keith Mitchell]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9586348 ... claim.html
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/fea ... -1-5003087
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... style.html

[Paul Holt]

these articles make intersting reading. Will have to buy Gina's book.

[Keith Mitchell]

these articles make intersting reading. Will have to buy Gina's book.

Presently reading it, Paul........... It's captivating - a story of tragedy and triumph, highs and heartaches, in equal measure. It's all told in Gina's frank and open style which one minute makes you want to laugh and the next, cry.

For those who need their heroes to have no 'warts' then this maybe isn't the book for them as Donald Campbell does not come out well in the normal 'fatherly' sense, but she is immensely proud and respectful of his achievements...... The latter have made her one very tough cookie but that belies a warmth and vulnerability - and a mischievous sense of humour - all of which permeates the book and which I've experienced first hand.

At the Ruskin book signing last weekend, she apologised to me that it was 'non-technical' and I might be disappointed. Not a bit of it I replied - I get enough of that with Neil's book and its aftermath/new editions, etc.. What I wanted was to hear of her experiences and whether being the only child of a 20th Century Icon was a blessing, or, a curse. My conclusion? A bit of both............

Buy it - worth every penny of the £17!

K.

IMG_1485.jpg (347.96 KiB) Viewed 18612 times

[Keith Mitchell]

We had the book signing of the (paperback) 2nd edition of 'Donald Campbell and The Final Record Attempt' at the Ruskin Museum yesterday. I have a small stock of signed editions by the authors, price £20. Can bring to the AGM if anyone is interested ........

K.

[Keith Mitchell]

Easter Sunday evening, BBC2 8pm:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016w6fc

[Paul Holt]

I watched it Keith, brilliant program. Not alot i didn't already know but still good to watch.

[Keith Mitchell]

I watched it Keith, brilliant program. Not alot i didn't already know but still good to watch.

Yes, agree, Paul. I had been interviewed by the programmes producer last year about technical reasons for the crash, but high-up's in the Beeb decided they wanted it to be the recollections of those who knew him - not armchair experts... In that regard it worked well. Herewith my response on one of the Facebook BB-phile pages:

A tasteful, atmospheric production. Didn't learn anything new, but what was presented brought freshness to a story which is very familiar to all of us. One small point - nothing to do with the production - where does Mr Stephens get water is 600 times the density of air......?? My physics book says 800+ times....... K7 would have done some very funny things if Ken Norris had used that figure!!

Couldn't resist a technical dig.....!
K.

[Paul Holt]

where does Mr Stephens get water is 600 times the density of air......?? My physics book says 800+ times....

Good point Keith!

[Keith Mitchell]

Even after 46 years it seems stopping migration of the aerodynamic centre of pressure forwards of the CG remains elusive:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25003463

[Keith Mitchell]

This year, the 50th Anniversary of Campbell's dual water/land speed record, has unearthed a real treasure - a remarkable piece of video from down under’ :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1_0ZoQHNqI

It records in beautiful quality, DMC & K7s record attempts in 1964. It is also remarkably instructive.

We’ve made a few comments on the book thread - https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7 - which may be of interest.
K.

[Keith Mitchell]

As the 50th Anniversary of Donald Campbell's death on Coniston approaches, some members may be interested in the att. links regarding the commemorations planned around the 4th Jan. I’m contributing with a Q&A session down at Dodgson Wood on the 3rd.

If you’re on FB - I’m doing a ’50 Years Ago Today’ diary on the book page on the events of the final campaign:

https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7/
http://www.ruskinmuseum.com/images/news ... gramme.pdf

Also, later in 2017 at the 6th Cumbria International Motor Show 17th May I’m doing the guest lecture on Bluebird:
https://www.facebook.com/CIMS17/photos/ ... =1&theater

[Keith Mitchell]

Well, it didn't end up on the cutting-room floor...

http://www.itv.com/news/granada/update/ ... ago-today/

[Dave Parry]

Hey, looking good there Mr Mitchell, well done.

[Keith Mitchell]

Well, after 17 years of hard restoration work, Bill Smith and the BBp Team have done it...

https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7/

[stuart knowles 1611]

https://twitter.com/bluebirdk7

Regular updates also found here including video of BB K7 running at over 130mph while being tested on Bute.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofLCciRtruE&t=44s

It has been an amazing restoration and I hope that she continues to be run each year, so much better than just gathering dust in a museum. I sincerely hope that I shall see her running at some point in the future.

Congratulations are due to the whole team involved in the rebuild, and to all on the Isle of Bute and other sponsors who have made it all happen. Lake District Nation Park, - shot in foot. shame on you