Lot 32
An original compressor stator blade from Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 4.4ins.(11cm)high.
8 October 2014, 14:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge£1,000 - £1,500
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An original compressor stator blade from Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7
Taken from the Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbo jet engine powering the vessel. Mounted onto a stone slab, with an engraved silver plaque. Together with a letter of authenticity from Don Wales, Donald Campbell's nephew. The blade; 4.4ins.(11cm)high.
Footnotes
To be sold on behalf of Veterans Aid.
On the morning of January 4th 1967 Donald Campbell had already completed his first run on Coniston Water, reaching a speed of 297mph. Campbell made his return run without refuelling, whilst the water surface was still rather disturbed. Just short of the end of the timed run, whilst travelling at an estimated 320mph, Bluebird left the water, somersaulted and crashed into the lake. Campbell was killed instantly and the boat sank to the bottom.
Divers located the wreck but Campbell's body was not found. The family decided to leave it in situ, as had been requested in his will.
However, in 2001 the wreck was rediscovered and it was decided to raise the wreck to preserve it from treasure hunters. Donald Campbell's body was also found and was interred in Coniston cemetery.
The wreck has since been undergoing painstaking restoration by the diving team in Newcastle and it is hoped to be afloat again by 2015, with a replacement engine. During the conservation process, several stator blades, including this one, were found within the mud filling the hull.