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Campbell's Bluebird to have engines refurbished

The Ruskin Museum The mark 101 Orpheus engine supported by a blue rig. It is placed in a warehouse and stands next to a red Gnat aircraft which belongs to Red Gnat limited. Another small aircraft can be seen in the background but is covered in a white tarpaulin.The Ruskin Museum
The mark 101 Orpheus will be fitted to Bluebird K7, while a second will be kept in reserve

A historic hydroplane's engines are to be refurbished as part of efforts to get the vessel back on the water.

Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7, which set seven world water speed records between 1955 and 1967, was recovered from Coniston Water in 2001 and is currently being restored.

Two Orpheus engines have been sent to North Weald in Essex for remedial work to be carried out before they are fitted to the boat.

Tracy Hodgson, director of the Ruskin Museum, said it marked the start of a "schedule of works" designed to have Bluebird running on Coniston Water in 2026.

The two mark 101 engines are slightly different from the original 701 engine which powered the boat in its final record attempt.

One will be installed on the boat, while the other will be kept in reserve.

The Ruskin Museum Senior engineer Connar Holland (left) and chief engineer Peter Walker (right) stand beside the mark 101 Orpheus engine. The engine is grey and stands on a blue rig. To the left is a red Gnat aircraft.The Ruskin Museum
The engines will be worked on by chief engineer Peter Walker (right) and his team

Jeff Carroll, vice chair of the Ruskin Museum, said the second 101 Orpheus engine still had many of its "flying hours" left.

"The aim is to have two serviceable engines to keep K7 operable well into the future," he said.

Campbell died in 1967 when the hydroplane crashed during a world record attempt.

It was recently put on display in Preston, close to the site where it was built.

The engines are being refurbished by a team led by chief engineer Peter Walker.

Mr Walker first worked on Orpheus engines 40 years ago while in the RAF, where he certified them for Gnat training aircraft.

"It is great to be part of the Ruskin Museum’s plan to put Bluebird K7 back on the water," Mr Walker said.

"Our team of engineers - myself, Connar and Nigel, who probably have more experience with Orpheus engines than anyone else in the world - will make sure that they are totally up to spec."

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