The History Channel: Bluebird The Curse of Campbell

[ronuk]

I hope someone can help me.
I looking for a DVD copy is this programme for my personal use, I would of course be willing to pay.

[f1steveuk]

I've been airly quiet on the whole "Curse" doco' thing, and as yet, I haven't seen it.

I read the newspaper articles, and although I never really spoke to Brian Hulme at length (to be honest, he had little to add to the work I was doing), I simply cannot go with his "nervus breakdown" theory at all.

I spent many many happy hours with Ken, Leo and Maury, to name but three of th team, and all commented on how upbeat DC had been up until the last few days, and even then, he hadn't been that down. He WAS fed up with the press coverage, and more than one person I spoke said that both DC and themselves felt the media at the time had a hidden agenda, but nervous breakdown? No. Having said that, his three skull fractures over the years had changed him, whereas he was always a good "party animal", he did become more abrupt, short tempered and impatient in the last years, but it was described to me as "like the occasional flick of a switch, as we had always known him most of the time, then, 'flick' and he'd be having a go about something, then seconds later, he was his old self". I wont give the sources name, but it was someone that knew him very very well.

K7 had flown a couple of times in the past, covering some two hundred odd feet in the "Finger Lake" attempt, and had got badly out of shape at Coniton in 1959, so DC knew what it felt like, a bit like Gilles Villenueve, who said "of course I go over the limit, otherwise how do I know where the limit is?".

I fear as time goes on, and we loose those who were there, and KNEW what occured, production companies have more chances to "adjust" history for the sake of a good story.

Finally, Mark, I know it will be difficult to watch, but I'm envious, you will have a lasting memory of your dad, something I only have in photo's and memories, it will be worth watching just for that, promise!

[Renegadenemo]

Mark - never mind the doco. You should ask for the rushes. There's likely a good hour of footage in the can from when your dad was interviewed and it'll not be kept forever. If you need any help give me a call.

[Graham Milne]

I have to agree with the comments regarding the artwork etc, it was confusing and as Bill says it took too long to actually see what things were supposed to be before the frame ended and we had another clip. I was having to rewind, watch, rewind, watch a few times over just to see what was going on.

All in all I was a maybe just a wee bit disappointed, I don't log in and post here much but I visit every day and I must admit I was looking forward to viewing the programme on Sunday night. But I was left feeling it was missing something, I don't know what exactly, but definitely missing something. But, like Bill says I'm sure it will have raised awareness of the project here and of the great man himself. And I suppose SKY must be thanked for making an effort to produce the piece in the first place, regardless of how we feel about it.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone well and much respect to all the team. If he's looking down, he'll be proud of each and every one of you.

[sheppane]

I agree with Steve 100%, only DMC would know his state of mind, but I just don't buy a nervous breakdown. I really do not think it is an issue with regard subsequent events and that is exactly the approach we have taken in 'The Final Record Attempt'.

With regard the second run, we believe that DMC was always planning to come back immediately, he knew the water within the measured km and the area 1 km south and 1 km north of it would be undisturbed from wash, and 'Robbie' Robinson confirmed as much to Keith and I when researching the book. Water in the KM was fine as it was on the first run. This is the area that matters, because in this area, K7 will be travelling at > 250mph, and therefore need flat calm.

The point is, from a conditions point of view, there was nothing to wait for. If anything conditions could potentially have deteriorated if he had waited. That was the riskier thing to do. The water brake disturbance was at the south end of the lake, quite a long way from southern end of the measured km.

DMC had the bows partially out on the first 56 run, when he backed off at about 290 -295 mph coming out of the kilo. He averaged >286 mph and he reported the boat going haywire, and speculated that one of the front fins may have broken, as the boat got into a nasty 'skid'. K7 was modified in 58 with deeper sponsons to try and cure this aero lift problem.

That behaviour from 56 would correlate well with K7's behaviour on the 4th Jan. Lifting off the throttle reduced the nose down moment, and at speeds in the 290-310 region, K7 would ride on her fins alone (not her shoes) The lift generated to suspend a 6000lb boat clear of the water is not coming from riding on the fins... The boat is effectively flying. The fact that he lost the engine on the first run added to this instability as he exited the km.

[f1steveuk]

Spot on Neil!

[malcolm uk]

The arty pieces were related in the most part to those who contributed to the documentary. Telling you what they were will spoil it for Bill as I feel he was hoping an anorak would be his.

Propane - think steam car - Don Wales, Edwards AFB. The 'truck' was the SCTA merchandise/sign-on trailer at Bonneville - think '60s action (Mickey Thompson), but modern day filming. Portaloos are the Johns at Bonneville too. The hillside was meant to offer the same location - think floating mountain, but it was probably the Campbell peak on the west side of the salt flats. The gravel was to do I think with the launch of the rocket car mock up. I have blanked any others as surperfluous to the story. Was there rough water?

Malcolm

[Renegadenemo]

It's this tampering with history that annoys me. OK, projecting old cine films onto a building site was unimpressive to say the least but now we have a whole generation who think Donald had a nervous breakdown and purposely chased Leo at the last because he knew he was in trouble. There's just no need...

[jonwrightk7]

here here

[Mike Bull]

Okay, I've finally seen this now and it was a bit of a mixed bag for me as well- some interesting contributions and footage, but some glaring issues also. As mentioned the 'projected' archive footage was not only an appalling idea but badly executed, too; I found it very jarring from the style of the rest of the programme.

I have to add my voice to the many who have been angered by these new baseless suppositions being touted as fact; I'm happy to accept that Donald may very well have kept his foot on the pressel switch prior to making his return run, as we have good firm evidence there from the late Corporal who knew the equipment, and who would have known what he was hearing (or not, as it happened). However, I take great issue with this whole notion that Donald deliberately drowned out Leo because he 'knew' that the boat had gone light on Run 1. There is NO evidence that Donald 'knew' anything of the sort; this is pure invention.