Bluebird K7 Latest
Discussion
Bonefish Blues said:
How much of the original would have been used if they had stuck firmly to the brief to restore to its condition prior to the crash?
Asking for interest, not knowing or trying to enter into this debate btw.
The whole of the craft forward of the engine intakes was destroyed, realistically beyond repair; the sponsons had been lost altogether (they were recovered after the crash; legend has it that they were dumped in the foundations of a buidling erected for the Engineers who designed her) and the engine had basically dissolved as a sacrificial anode:Asking for interest, not knowing or trying to enter into this debate btw.
Equus said:
sheppane said:
The lack of fasteners is down to the new custodians to address surely?
Why should it be?BBP's agreement was to restore the boat to pre-crash condition.
Not to restore it to pre-crash condition except for the bits they couldn't be bothered with.
After visiting K7 last week (managed to get in at 10am before the coach parties arrived), I left disappointed with what I viewed from an engineering perspective but recognise it completes the picture as a tribute to Donald and the Campbell family. I’m sure the Ruskin Museum are pleased to have it and, no doubt, it will help to swell their coffers and support all the various exhibits on display. We can argue all day long what K7 is now and what it could have been but what’s done is done, I’m afraid. Personally, I don’t believe it will ever enter the water again, too many hurdles in the way to make it happen and I think the Ruskin are happy it stays where it is now.
An opportunity missed to many eyes but, at least, it’s now where it should be and can be seen by the public.
An opportunity missed to many eyes but, at least, it’s now where it should be and can be seen by the public.
MarkwG said:
I'm with Equus, that's poor. They're not delivering a barn find to auction, they're returning a vehicle they claimed to have restored, surely?
When K7 arrived back at Coniston, it had all its fasteners. The only thing missing was a cockpit canopy of which the BBP did not have a working one, it having being damaged at Bute. The spray baffles were not fitted for transport reasons, but to my knowledge, have not been fitted since K7 was installed in the Ruskin. 
sheppane said:
These photo's would appear to contradict that:
No they wouldn't? You're just seeing reflections from the missing paint around the fixing holes, I think. Maybe it's those rose-tinted goggles, again, Sheppy... should've gone to specsavers?
Here's that screengrab from the trailer, again:
And here's a detail photo of the instrument gauge window I took in the museum:
Jim H said:
I’m sure they can be replaced.
Of course they can, but:1) they shouldn't need to be. If you'd just had a high quality restoration done on your classic car, would you accept it if it was returned to you with dozens of fixings missing? It's just shoddy.
2) for what it's worth, these fixings ought to have been among the original material that was undamaged and in place when the wreck was recovered. If you were taking a conscientious approach to the conservation of the boat, original fabric is important.
Perhaps it's best not to mention that there were similarly bits missing from the Barracuda that BBP tried and failed to restore, when it was reclaimed from them?
Equus said:
Of course they can, but:
1) they shouldn't need to be. If you'd just had a high quality restoration done on your classic car, would you accept it if it was returned to you with dozens of fixings missing? It's just shoddy.
2) for what it's worth, these fixings ought to have been among the original material that was undamaged and in place when the wreck was recovered. If you were taking a conscientious approach to the conservation of the boat, original fabric is important.
Perhaps it's best not to mention that there were similarly bits missing from the Barracuda that BBP tried and failed to restore, when it was reclaimed from them?
Equus, I think we get it. You don't like Bill Smith and the BBP volunteers. You find nothing good in what they have done. 1) they shouldn't need to be. If you'd just had a high quality restoration done on your classic car, would you accept it if it was returned to you with dozens of fixings missing? It's just shoddy.
2) for what it's worth, these fixings ought to have been among the original material that was undamaged and in place when the wreck was recovered. If you were taking a conscientious approach to the conservation of the boat, original fabric is important.
Perhaps it's best not to mention that there were similarly bits missing from the Barracuda that BBP tried and failed to restore, when it was reclaimed from them?
Edited by sheppane on Saturday 4th May 13:33
When I visited the Ruskin museum a few weeks ago, on that glorious day.
I’d never been before, there is so much DC memorabilia, my eyes were all over the place. It’s well worth a visit, it obviously it has its detractors - keep an open mind.
I spotted some really nice photos: donated by a Mr Neil Sheppard.
Gentlemen , please, don’t turn this into a tit-for-tat slanging match.
We all have a shared interest in the subject. Point scoring on the internet is ridiculous.
I’d never been before, there is so much DC memorabilia, my eyes were all over the place. It’s well worth a visit, it obviously it has its detractors - keep an open mind.
I spotted some really nice photos: donated by a Mr Neil Sheppard.
Gentlemen , please, don’t turn this into a tit-for-tat slanging match.
We all have a shared interest in the subject. Point scoring on the internet is ridiculous.
Jim H said:
When I visited the Ruskin museum a few weeks ago, on that glorious day.
I’d never been before, there is so much DC memorabilia, my eyes were all over the place. It’s well worth a visit, it obviously it has its detractors - keep an open mind.
I spotted some really nice photos: donated by a Mr Neil Sheppard.
Gentlemen , please, don’t turn this into a tit-for-tat slanging match.
We all have a shared interest in the subject. Point scoring on the internet is ridiculous.
Agreed. I have no role in the BBP other than the fact that I gave them access to my photographic collection so they could rebuild K7 as accurately as possible and advised them on the history of BB K7. They are now no longer involved. I’d never been before, there is so much DC memorabilia, my eyes were all over the place. It’s well worth a visit, it obviously it has its detractors - keep an open mind.
I spotted some really nice photos: donated by a Mr Neil Sheppard.
Gentlemen , please, don’t turn this into a tit-for-tat slanging match.
We all have a shared interest in the subject. Point scoring on the internet is ridiculous.
ecsrobin said:
+1
And not forgetting trying to flog a book.
I will only sell books if people want them. If they don't, then they won't sell. The book that you refer to deals with the last record attempt. I put a lot of effort into its writing and sourcing images that had never been seen before. If that proves to be a popular formula, then great. It is open for anybody else to do likewise. I don't think my interventions on here will either help or hinder that cause, and if you think writing a book on a specilist subject like this is profitable, think again. I occasionally post on here because I thought we were all enthusiasts interested in the same subject. And not forgetting trying to flog a book.
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