Students to attempt to break water speed record on lake where Donald Campbell died

By Daily Mail Reporter

A team of engineers are aiming to break the world water speed record, on the lake where Donald Campbell died in his Bluebird.

The Quicksilver team will try to bring the record back to Britain on Coniston Water in the Lake District, the scene of the disaster which killed Donald Campbell in 1967 as he tried to break the 300mph barrier.

They're using a wind tunnel at Salford University to make sure there will be no repeat of the Bluebird tragedy when a new attempt is made on the world water speed record.

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Quicksilver weighs 3.5 tonnes and is 12.87 metres long. Although 50 per cent heavier than Bluebird it has twice as much power

Salford's role is to test the design for pitch, yaw and roll - meaning that when Quicksilver approaches the record speed of 317mph, it won't veer off course or flip like Bluebird.

Using the university's wind tunnel facilities, the team from the School of Computing, Science and Engineering is helping the British Quicksilver team test the aerodynamics of their craft.

The current record was set in 1978 by Australian Ken Warby and Quicksilver are aiming to reach 330mph. But, as Salford project leader Dr Thurai Rahulan explained, there is more than just national pride at stake.

He said: 'Our students are getting hands-on experience at the cutting-edge of aeronautical design by doing their own calculations on the project.

'We're also looking at how we can use our new understanding of forces and the technology to benefit ordinary passenger craft.

'The results can make ferries and other ships more efficient and able to achieve higher speeds using the same or less fuel.'

Dr Thurai Rahulan and Nigel MacKnight with the Quiksilver test model

Quicksilver team leader Nigel McKnight, who will be driving the boat during the record attempt, said: 'This will be the culmination of 20 years of planning for me and so it is vital that the boat is made as safe as possible.

'Salford's work in aeronautical engineering has a fantastic reputation and we are extremely grateful for their help.'

The Quicksilver team is likely to commence full-scale testing next year.

Donald Campbell died in Bluebird on January 4, 1967, as he tried to beat his own water speed record of 276mph. He was a man under pressure as American Lee Taylor was threatening the record with a new boat, Hustler.

The patriotic Campbell desperately wanted a Briton to be the first to break 300mph. His first run across averaged 297mph but as he tried to hit 315mph on his return run his boat flipped and he was killed.

The wreckage of Bluebird was discovered and lifted from the lake bed in March 2001. Campbell's body was recovered two months later. Bluebird is now being reconstructed and could return to Coniston on completion.

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