Here is a picture of me holding "Mr Woppitt" who must be one of the most famous and valuable bears on the planet. For those that don't know he was Donald Campbell's mascot and was in the cockpit with him of the Bluebird K7 boat when he crashed at over 300mph killing him instantly in 1967 (Campbell not the bear). Mr Whoppitt was one of the few things that floated to the surface straight after the crash. I have long been interested in the Campbell's and the water speed record and went to Coniston on the 4th Jan this year for the 50th anniversary of his death. There I Met Gina Campbell who is Donald's daughter and she kindly let me hold Mr Whoppitt which I have to say was very special to me. Never thought a teddy bear could make a chap so happy :-)
Wouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuwwwww !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That s really an interesting story and I can undetsand how happy you where and how proud you could be !!!
Am also very interested about all concerning those speed beast reading a lot of articles about Campbell builts , and all his speed tests and improvments !!!!
Thanks Rob for sharing such a nice story
I have seen "in flesh" the Bluebird when I visited Beaulieu national Motor Museum in last November
I was very impressed and appreciating how brave you should be for driving this one at High speed!!
I'm old enough to remember the news of the crash in 1967 - it was spectacularly horrible to see the boat flip over at 300mph. Brave man indeed . ( I have the same horrible feeling about Richard Noble's forthcoming land speed quest with Andy Green (?) as driver. I really cannot believe any wheeled vehicle can stay on the ground at 1000mph !)
But regarding the water-borne Bluebird isnt somebody re-building it ?
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