#161: Donald Campbell – Speed king of Coniston

About this episode

The episode explores the life and tragic end of Donald Campbell, a speed record pioneer, through the insights of Dr. Keith Mitchell.

...in which we return to the golden age of speed records in the company of Dr Keith Mitchell, who was a teen when Bluebird K7 made its tragic final record attempt on Coniston in January 1967, and who has researched all things Campbell ever since. Setting out from the heart of Coniston, we introduce risk-taking Sir Malcolm Campbell – the 'national hero' record-breaker of the inter-war years – and the frenetic home life into which son Donald was born. Approaching Coniston Water, we consider young Donald's emergence from his capricious father's shadow, and his lifelong desire to seek paternal approval – even after Malcolm's death. Arriving on the lakeshore, we learn about the historic context of post-War speed records and the meeting of man and jet-powered machine that allowed Donald to set seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1964, inching him ever closer to the holy grail 300mph. As waves lap the Water's gravelly shore, Keith describes the jet-powered hydroplane's final voyage, the somersault that ended Donald's life, and the speed king's final words, which offer insights into what went wrong as the craft surpassed 320mph. Closing the pod at Donald's grave, we hear the…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr Keith Mitchell

Topics covered

• speed records
• Coniston
• Donald Campbell
• jet-powered hydroplane
• history

Keywords

• Bluebird K7
• Malcolm Campbell
• water speed records
• 300mph
• Coniston Water

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Bluebird K7

Books & works: Donald Campbell Bluebird and the Final Record Attempt

Places: Coniston, Water, Lake District

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