Sir Malcolm Campbell’s 1937 triple world water speed record breaking K3 BLUEBIRD returns to Lake Maggiore in July to mark the 80th anniversary of her final speed record.
Filching, East Sussex, U.K. 31st May 2018: K3 Bluebird, Sir Malcolm Campbell’s triple world water-speed record-breaking power boat, will make a historic return journey to Switzerland on 5th to 7th July 2018 to mark the 80th anniversary of her final speed record.
Karl Foulkes Halbard restored K3 in Sussex
K3 Bluebird’s owner, Karl Foulkes Halbard, and team have been invited by the Swiss authorities at Locarno on Lake Maggiore to perform demonstration runs as part of the finale to the Luci e Ombre festival. K3 Bluebird will be on static display beside the lake on the 5th and 6th of July and will perform in the water on the 7th July in front of many spectators.
Karl Foulkes Halbard, K3 Bluebird owner, said, “When we started to rebuild K3 Bluebird in 1990 it really was only a dream to be able to run her again in Switzerland. We now we have the chance to make a bit of history. It promises to be a fitting way to celebrate the 80th anniversary of her last record set in 1938.”
It was on 1 September 1937, at Lake Maggiore between Switzerland and Italy, that K3 set her first world record of 126.32 mph; the next day she went still faster, to 129.5 mph. The following year on 17 August 1938 at Lake Hallwyl in Switzerland she broke the record again, hitting 130.91 mph.
Karl continued: “The trip has been made possible with the generous support of sponsors Transafe, PT Hire, MAN Trucks and Hagerty International, who have our thanks and appreciation.”
Photos © Lisa Beaney Photography