Bluebird gets jet engine ahead of return to water

Bluebird has returned to the Ruskin Museum in Coniston

Donald Campbell's Bluebird has had a new jet engine installed as part of efforts to run the record-breaking craft in the Lake District next year.

The hydroplane was transported from Coniston's Ruskin Museum to the Aircraft Heritage Trust at St Athan, South Wales, last month where it had a 101 Orpheus engine fitted and tested.

Campbell was killed in January 1967 when Bluebird somersaulted as he attempted to push his world water speed record past 300mph (480km/h) on Coniston Water.

The craft has been on show at the nearby museum since last March following the resolution of a years-long ownership row with the man who led its restoration.

Bluebird returned to the museum on Saturday and was back on display to celebrate what would have been Campbell's 104th birthday.

Ruskin bosses are aiming to return the craft to the lake at some point in 2026 where it will be piloted by Australian Dave Warby, son of the late-water speed world-record holder Ken Warby.

Two donated Orpheus mark 101 engines - slightly different from the original 701 engine which powered Bluebird in its final record attempt - have been refurbished, with one fitted in the hull and the other kept in reserve.

The hydroplane had a new engine fitted ahead of efforts to run it in 2026

The defence company Babcock International Group has joined the team at the Ruskin Museum as engineering partner to support the planned operation of the hydroplane.

John Howie, chief corporate affairs officer at Babcock, said: "The hydroplane has been lovingly restored, and our skilled team of engineers will take great care and pride in supporting the project as we play our part in readying it for its run next year."

• Donald Campbell's Bluebird: The battle back to Coniston

With Campbell in the cockpit, Bluebird set seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1967.

Crowds lined the streets to welcome Bluebird back to Coniston last March

Recovered from the lake bed in 2001, the hydroplane's wreckage was restored on Tyneside by a team of volunteers known as the Bluebird Project.

However, its future was thrown into doubt when the group's leader, Bill Smith, tried to claim part-ownership in recognition of the work carried out at his North Shields yard.

Having relinquished his bid last year, Bluebird was welcomed back to Coniston by cheering crowds, with record numbers of visitors flocking to see it.

As part of the legal settlement, Mr Smith paid £25,000 towards the museum's costs and it was also agreed he would have no "further right, title or interest" in the craft.