New CN7 Book

[f1steveuk]

The actual document/documents is/are now in Beaulieu, and as anyone who has tried to see these, it isn't easy! Confessing I was much nearer eighteen then than I am now, it was two sheets of A4, folded to make a sort of eight page book. A profile picture of the proposed design, which was very rounded in comparision to what appeared on Donald's drive, which kicked up at the tail to a single nozzle. The rear wheels mounted in HUGE rounded aerodynamic spats, and a central tailfin. Inside was a similar drawing/sketch showing a basic spaceframe. In the centre one of Ken's sketches showing the car, on a run, with Ken's "whoosh" lines and the words "Bluebird, Campbell Norris 8". I got the impression, simply because it followed Campbell Norris 7!!! I'm sure you recall the hundreds of memos in Ken's writing, and one of these said, "It has to be Bluebird, but it doesn't tell me what it's for!!! Maybe for the press Bluebird Mach One", then underneath someone had written "Mach 1.1, we want to exceed it". It may be possible that CN8 was in house, and resurected after a while, and if I can get the archive log to load in Vista, I am sure there was CN1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,and 10 (the last being the amphibious CN7 a like, that spawned the X10 Quicksilver design??).

When I first met Ken he was still in Norris House, and the drawing archive was at the bottom of the lift shaft (some say there are still tubes down there!!), and the drawing log was already becoming a mess, after the move to Bournemouth, the log was a waste of time!!

The "CN8" I saw was a tricycle, which then developed into two closely mounted twin front wheels. The drawings of Mach 1.1, some with stress calc's and measurements, so much later, had the twin, faired in front wheels, with the hollow in between and very little wheel showing, the very square lined rear wheel fairings. The three piece flat glass screens, and the twin rocket motors, piggy backed at the rear, but no central tail fin.

My guess is, that both names existed, much as Blue Birds and Bluebirds, but rather than Blue Bird (Sir Malcolm' vehicles) and Bluebird (for Donald's) it really depended on who was quoting it! Regardless, I'd love to know what speed the design would have achieved, especially in light of Breedlove's Sonic Arrow looking SO similar, although I wouldn't have wanted to sit right up front!!!!

[Mike Bull]

Any word on when this book may finally be published?

[jonwrightk7]

david tremayne has a new book coming out i see on amazon. says 2011. long wait. if "the man behind the mask" is anything to go by, it should be a cracker

[malcolm uk]

CN7 - Chaters Motoring Booksellers now list this book in their Summer/Autumn catalogue that arrived mid week. Amazon have had an interview video with author Donald Stevens on release. The Author is offering a CD with copies purchased directly from him. I would say Mike it is available now!

David Tremayne - was under pressure to write three titles - so the Water Speed Record appears to have gone to 2011. [The first book this year is for August publication about Jochen Rindt]. David has been invited to a forthcoming SRC meeting to talk about the subject and discuss his book. [Shame he will now 'miss' the January Coniston gathering.}

[Mike Bull]

Amazon have had an interview video with author Donald Stevens on release. The Author is offering a CD with copies purchased directly from him. I would say Mike it is available now!

Couldn't see any interview online at either Amazon .co.uk or .com, but did find it at Veloce Publishing's own website. They list the book as 'not yet in print' and 'coming soon' in April/May, so maybe it is still due out anytime.

Author interview-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWNScJ_8LQ

[Renegadenemo]

Have mailed him to ask what's the status of his book - stand by...

[lsrdatabase]

Hi All,

I spoke to Donald about a week ago, he's going to email me when it's out.

Regards, Fred




'I'm just that bloke, who won't go away!'

[Renegadenemo]

I got a reply from Donald, his book is available from him or Amazon. Suggest anyone who wants a copy should mail him direct.

brindles@uwclub.net

[Mike Bull]

...though when finally published it'll only cost you £17.49 on Amazon, including postage.

[bluebird-k7]

Donald Stevens has told me today that he's just picked up some copies of his new 'Bluebird CN7 - The Inside Story' book from his publishers Veloce Publishing.

The book is 128 pages long & hardback. There are over 100 photographs and diagrams, many not previously seen before in the public domain.

For people who don't know who Donald Stevens is, he was the Norris Brothers 1st employee and joined the company aged 19. and worked on the design of K7's cockpit & water baffles, but entered National Service before Donald achieved his 1st record at Ullswater.

When Donald completed his National Service, he returned to the Norris Brothers, and became the Project - Co-ordinator for the design & construction of Bluebird CN7. This is his 1st book.

For people who do know Donald - they'll know his talks at the Blue Bird Supporters Club open day events are always well received, and give his personal insight what it was like to work with Ken & Lew Norris, Donald Campbell & all the Norris Bros employees, who maybe don't get the recognition they deserve.

Where Can I Get This Book From??

This book is available directly from the author & costs £29 & also £5 to anywhere in the United Kingdom .

For this you get also get an exclusive DVD, which is not available elsewhere & has never been on public release before. It's a 30 minute, colour film DVD from the Owen Organisation 'Project Bluebird' which details the final runs. The DVD has a timeline on but does not interfere with the main picture.

This is a unique opportunity, to own a rare DVD, and a superb book. He will also sign it with any suitable inscription.

To contact Donald, his address is:- Brindles, Golford, Cranbrook, Kent, TN7 3PA, or email him at:- brindles@uwclub.net

If you want to see a 12 minute interview with the author, and some of the footage on the DVD, go to:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWNScJ_8LQ

Hope this is of interest

John Bullivant