New 'Bluebird' is disrespectful, say Campbell's family

The Bluebird replica The "look-alike" Bluebird K7 is currently on the slipway at Coniston Water
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The family of Donald Campbell say they are "outraged" a replica of his boat is moored on the lake where he died trying to break the world water speed record.

A "look-alike" boat with a similar number has been seen on the same slipway from which the original Bluebird K7 launched in Coniston Water.

The family said it believed its owner Helical Technology was using it for publicity ahead of a record attempt.

No-one from Helical Technology was available for comment.

Mr Campbell's family said it understood the firm regarded the boat as a tribute to Donald Campbell and was using it to gather data ahead of an attempt on the world water speed record.
'Disrespectful to Donald'

Mr Campbell's nephew Don Wales said the family were "horrified" by the arrival of a bright blue vessel, which he said was almost identical to the original Bluebird K7 and had been called K777.

He said: "We feel that it is disrespectful to Donald, and that those responsible are clearly out to bolster their credibility as a publicity stunt by alluding to the connection with the real Bluebird - a connection that neither exists nor is wanted.
The wreck of Donald Campbell's Bluebird, raised from Coniston Water in the Lake District in March 2001 The wreck of Donald Campbell's Bluebird was finally raised from Coniston Water in March 2001

"Yes I applaud them if they're... helping to get the water speed record back into this country but I just wonder if the way they've done it, by doing an exact copy of my uncle's boat, is the right and proper way of doing it."

Mr Campbell died in 1967 while trying to increase to world water speed record to above 300mph (480km/h) in his famous jet-powered hydroplane.

The craft lifted up from the surface of the water and somersaulted before crashing and killing him.

The wreckage, which was finally recovered 34 years later in 2001, is being restored with a view to being returned to the lake for a demonstration before being put on display.

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