We know what happened to Donald Campbell that dark day on Coniston Water when he lost control of Bluebird K7 at over 300mph, but the why is a source of much debate. Did not bothering to refuel between runs make the boat lighter and less stable? Did not waiting as long as possible before returning cause him to run into his own wake? Did the engine flame out? Did K7 simply go too fast for her aerodynamics to handle? There are plenty of theories, but no clear answers.
Which is not to say there aren’t lessons to be learned, especially by anyone contemplating the Water Speed Record themselves. Such as Richard Noble whose ThrustWSH programme is in the research phase of a project that, if realised, could lead to the creation of a craft with a target design speed of 450mph, a staggering 133mph faster than the current Water Speed Record that has stood since 1978.
Noble has studied Campbell’s crash in detail and reckons he found himself in what is described as ‘Coffin Corner’, a high speed trap from which there is literally no escaping.
