Donald Campbell
Donald Campbell had not previously attempted record-breaking, but after Sir Malcolm's death at the end of 1948, the threat of an American challenge to his water speed record spurred him to defend it. Under the terms of his will, Sir Malcolm's possessions, including the record breakers, were auctioned off and Donald was forced to buy them back. K4 was then re-engined with a propellor and one of the previous Rolls-Royce R engines.
The boat was tried out by Donald Campbell (Malcolm's son) but deemed too slow, so after another superstructure rebuild and finally structural failure in 1951 it was replaced by the jet-powered K7, in which Donald died during a record attempt in 1967.
A replica of K4 currently is on show at the Lakeland Motor Museum, Backbarrow.
Read more about this topic: Blue Bird K4
Famous quotes containing the word campbell:
“Ye Mariners of England
That guard our native seas!
Whose flag has braved a thousand years
The battle and the breeze!”
—Thomas Campbell (1774–1844)