The Final Water Speed Record Attempt and The Death of Donald Campbell
In June 1966, Campbell decided to once more try for a water speed record with K7: his target, 300 mph (480 km/h).
K7 was fitted with a lighter and more powerful Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engine, taken from a Folland Gnat jet aircraft, and lent to the project by the MOD, which developed 4,500 pound-force (20 kN) of thrust. The refit was handled by Norris Brothers, designers of Bluebird K7, and Campbell expected to be at Coniston Water, scene of four of his fifties successes by September 66. Campbell was working to a tight budget. Sponsorship from British industry, who had supported his earlier exploits, was not forthcoming this time. The almost inevitable delays meant that K7 did not arrive at Coniston until early November, with four scant weeks before the British winter would set in. On the plus side, Campbell and his engineering team, headed by Leo Villa were vastly experienced, and given a spell of decent calm weather, Campbell was confident that the attempt could be wrapped up in 2 or 3 weeks.
Read more about this topic: Bluebird K7
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