Bluebird set for lake return in May, chiefs hope

The restored Bluebird last ran on water in 2018 in Scotland

Donald Campbell's Bluebird could run again in the Lake District in May as part of a week-long celebration, it has been announced.

The hydroplane was destroyed in January 1967 when Campbell crashed on Coniston Water as he attempted to push his own water speed record past 300mph (480km/h).

After being recovered and restored, and with a lengthy ownership row settled, it was handed to Coniston's Ruskin Museum last year.

The venue's chiefs have now applied to the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) to be able to run the craft on Coniston Water between 10 and 17 May.

Announcing the proposed dates for what it called Bluebird K7 - The Festival, organisers said they had applied for an exemption to the waterway's 10mph speed limit.

While September will be the 70th anniversary of Campbell setting one of his world water speed records on Coniston, May has been proposed for the craft's return because it is hoped it will provide smoother conditions.

In a statement, they explained: "For those wondering why we haven't asked for September dates, K7 needs fairly calm water to be able to run.

"LDNPA have quite rightly said that we can't run in summer holidays and bank holidays, as Coniston Water has a public right of navigation and during those summer and bank holidays it will be too busy.

"The reason we chose May was because hopefully this will give us the best weather window to run."

They said that while there was "no guarantee" Bluebird would be able to run every day of the planned dates, they hoped staging the event across a week meant "we should get a good bit of weather".

Crowds cheered as Bluebird returned to Coniston in 2024 following a legal battle

Australian Dave Warby, son of the late-water speed world-record holder Ken Warby, will be in the cockpit.

Events are also set to be held on the lakeside including musical performances on the final weekend.

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

The LDNPA has been approached for comment.

Restorer's fight

Setting seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1964, Bluebird was recovered from Coniston Water in 2001 with its restoration led by Tyneside engineer Bill Smith.

It last ran in 2018 at Loch Fad, on Scotland's Isle of Bute.

However, a legal row followed after Mr Smith claimed part-ownership due to the work he and his Bluebird Project team had carried out.

In the settlement, agreed when he relinquished his claim, Mr Smith paid £25,000 towards the Ruskin Museum's costs.

It was also agreed he would have no "further right, title or interest" in the craft.

The machine was collected from North Shields in March 2024 and was welcomed with claps and cheers when it reached Coniston later that day.