Spitfire Parts vs Model Merlin + 1500HP Land Rover Beast TheBluebirdProject 2026-09-21 | Spitfire Parts vs Model Merlin + 1500HP Land Rover Beast
Bluebird k7 Engine Run | 18/02/23 TheBluebirdProject 2023-02-21 | The third engine run from Saturday the 18th. Amazing team and it ran smoothly!For regular updates and unique content see the BBP Twitter: bluebirdk7Instagram: bluebirdk7TikTok: bluebirdprojectk7bluebirdproject.info
Bluebird K7 Drone Footage | credit Pat Carty TheBluebirdProject 2023-02-19 | Some incredible Drone footage from Pat Cardy, we love getting everyone's Footage! For regular updates and unique content see the BBP Twitter: bluebirdk7Instagram: bluebirdk7TikTok: bluebirdprojectk7bluebirdproject.info
What would you like to see more of in our YouTube shorts? #bluebird #engineering #bluebirdk7 #shorts TheBluebirdProject 2023-02-19 | ...
watch her breathe again 😍😍 #bluebird #bluebirdk7 #bluebirdproject #engineering #enginerun TheBluebirdProject 2023-02-12 | ...
Installing The Engine - The Bluebird Project TheBluebirdProject 2023-02-12 | Please enjoy our short montage filmed on 28th December 2022, when the Bluebird project Team installed the engine back into Bluebird K7 for the first time since its running in 2018.For regular updates and unique content see the BBP Twitter: Bluebirdk7Instagram: bluebirdk7TikTok: bluebirdprojectk7Many thanks to the BBP team, this wouldn't be possible without our amazing and talented volunteers!
Orpheus fuel system part two TheBluebirdProject 2020-12-29 | A continuation from the previous video youtu.be/0eidG2fCsmUThis video covers the fuel filter and the rest of the control system
Orpheus fuel system part one TheBluebirdProject 2020-12-29 | A combination of several Twitter videos explaining the fuel pump and combined control unit (CCU)Part twoyoutu.be/corZ-A1FoD4
Poppy Making from a drinks can TheBluebirdProject 2020-11-06 | How to make a poppy from drinks cans with examples of your work00:00 Intro01:06 Basic elements of a Poppy and materials02:32 Metallurgy and things you need to know04:00 How to dismantle you tin can05:48 Annealing the drinks can with a blow torch07:06 Anatomy of a Poppy and making the petals10:51 Annealing the drinks can with a gas hob13:45 The artistic bit15:42 The stem17:18 The leaf18:22 Assembly 20:16 Examples
Crusader Progress Part 2 TheBluebirdProject 2020-09-02 | During downtime with our big blue boat, some of the team decided to build ahalf-scale Crusader. This is the story so far. Part 3 will be available soon.Thanks to Quiet Giant for the Black & White images
K7 Support Boats part 1 TheBluebirdProject 2020-08-22 | Rebuild of the Rigid inflatable boat that was used during the search for Bluebird
Bluebird Project - Progress 32 TheBluebirdProject 2020-07-07 | Dating from the start of August 2018, this video follows Bluebird as she is brought out of her workshop again and loaded onto a lorry and taken to Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute, where she finally takes to the water again for the first time in 51 years…Keep up with the project via our twitter @bluebirdk7 and chat to us there or on our forum, and don’t forget our online shop. Thanks for your support!Re-upload of missing videoMusic by Bensound.com
Bluebird Project - Progress 11 TheBluebirdProject 2020-07-07 | Latest progress video from The Bluebird Project, the team rebuilding Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 jet hydroplane to full running condition. This video catches up with some of the work that had been done before and during the long and continuing (as of July 2013) process of building the boat's new sponsons, as shown previously, and then comes up to date with more recent efforts. Visit the website to learn more, talk to the team and to add your support. Thanks for looking!Reupload of deleted videoMusic from Bensound.com
Crusader Project Part 1 TheBluebirdProject 2020-07-04 | During downtime with our big blue boat, some of the team decided to build a half-scale Crusader This is the story so far
Bluebird Project - Vulcan XL319 - Resurrecting No.4 TheBluebirdProject 2019-08-14 | Bluebird Project twitter followers will know that we’ve been carrying out some work recently on Avro Vulcan XL319 at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum in Sunderland.This video covers May-August 2019 and shows some of our preparatory work on the No.4 Rolls Royce Olympus, including testing the instrumentation, reinstating throttle control from the cockpit, connecting the off board starting air and fuel supplies, filling up the oil, and showing the very first brief light of the engine in 36 years, on just a spoonful of kerosene. Keep following our twitter @bluebirdk7 for all our latest news!
Bluebird Project - Avro Vulcan XL319 No.4 Engine Run 31st July 2019 TheBluebirdProject 2019-08-13 | Bluebird Project twitter followers will know that we’ve been carrying out some work recently on Avro Vulcan XL319 at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum in Sunderland.This video shows the third successful light of the No.4 Rolls Royce Olympus.Using the same off board starting air supply that we use for Bluebird we were on limits for having enough energy to bring the engine to start speed but eventually the engine clears its throat and comes up to idle and runs very nicely, happily responding to brief forays up to 50% power. (Editing makes the run appear longer than was actually the case. Footage- Mike Bull/Bill Smith/Debbie Johnson)Keep following our twitter @bluebirdk7 for all our latest news!
Bluebird Project - Avro Vulcan XL319 No.4 Engine Run 18th July 2019 TheBluebirdProject 2019-08-13 | Bluebird Project twitter followers will know that we’ve been carrying out some work recently on Avro Vulcan XL319 at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum in Sunderland.This video shows the second successful light of the No.4 Rolls Royce Olympus engine.Using the same off board starting air supply that we use for Bluebird, we were on limits for having enough energy to bring the engine to start speed but eventually the engine clears its throat and comes up to idle and runs very nicely, happily responding to brief forays up to 50% power- which dislodges some debris as can be seen exiting the jetpipe. (Editing makes the run appear longer than was actually the case. Footage- Mike Bull/Bill Smith)Keep following our twitter @bluebirdk7 for all our latest news!
Bluebird Project - Avro Vulcan XL319 Failed Engine Start Attempts 11th July 2019 TheBluebirdProject 2019-08-13 | Bluebird Project twitter followers will know that we’ve been carrying out some work recently on Avro Vulcan XL319 at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum in Sunderland.Just to show that it doesn’t always go to plan, this video shows two unsuccessful attempts to start the No.4 Rolls Royce Olympus engine.Using the same off board starting air supply that we use for Bluebird we were on limits for having enough energy to bring the engine to start speed, and on the first attempt the engine lit but mistimed throttle handling resulted in jet pipe temperatures that were out of limits, necessitating a shut down. The second attempt later the same evening fell victim to a lack of igniters due to a failing power supply. Next time! (Footage- Mike Bull)Keep following our twitter @bluebirdk7 for all our latest news!
Bluebird Project - Avro Vulcan XL319 First Engine Run in 36 Years 3rd July 2019 TheBluebirdProject 2019-08-13 | Bluebird Project twitter followers will know that we’ve been carrying out some work recently on Avro Vulcan XL319 at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum in Sunderland.After a few weeks preparatory work, this video shows the first time we attempted to light No.4 Rolls Royce Olympus engine.Using the same off board starting air supply that we use for Bluebird, we were on limits for having enough energy to bring the engine to start speed but eventually the engine clears its throat and runs up to idle for the first time in 36 years. (Editing makes the run appear longer than was actually the case. Footage- Mike Bull/Bill Smith)Keep following our twitter @bluebirdk7 for all our latest news!
Bluebird Project - Vulcan Painting TheBluebirdProject 2019-07-04 | As our twitter followers will know we've been keeping ourselves amused lately by working on our local Vulcan bomber, the very same one which donated parts for Bluebird a few years ago. We're working on the Olympus engines too but this video features a long, hot, full weekend when with the help of lots of new friends, we got as much of the old thing painted in one hit as we could. Follow all our activities on our twitter @bluebirdk7
Bluebird Project - Progress 36 TheBluebirdProject 2019-05-01 | Spanning August 2018-April 2019, our latest video picks up the final activity on Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute before bringing the boat back to her Tyneside workshop where work continues, including carrying out bodywork and painting on her sponsons that we ran out of time for before Scotland.As ever you can keep up with the project on our website, via our twitter feed @bluebirdk7, and add your support by visiting our online shop. Thanks for watching!
Bluebird Project - Progress 35 TheBluebirdProject 2019-01-22 | 'Progress 35' features a further compilation of clips from our time on Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute with drivers Ted Walsh and Stew Campbell continuing to put Bluebird through her paces...(Original footage- Ground & Up, Mike Bull, Frankie Jordan)As we make plans for 2019, keep up with the project via our twitter feed @bluebirdk7 -if it's not there, it's not official! -and also via our website, forum, and don't forget the online shop. Thanks for your support!
Bluebird Project - Progress 34 TheBluebirdProject 2019-01-17 | Covering our first few days of running on Loch Fad in August 2018, this video is a compilation of amateur clips of the boat operating in the hands of pilots Ted Walsh and Stew Campbell in a series of runs and static tests, with no music spoiling the roar of the Orpheus engine! (Original footage- Jordan Aspin, Mike Bull, Frankie Jordan)As we make plans for 2019, keep up with the project via our twitter feed @bluebirdk7 -if it's not there, it's not official! -and also via our website, forum, and don't forget the online shop. Thanks for your support!
Bluebird Project - Progress 33 TheBluebirdProject 2018-12-27 | This video shows a single day at Loch Fad in August 2018 with Stew Campbell carrying out a brief static test of the engine before a few launch and recovery operations while we dealt with a blown fuse or two before finally, Ted Walsh takes Bluebird on her first full run in 51 years; the old girl seemed happy to get up onto her points again and be away…(Original media- Mike Bull/Richie Harrison/Phil Evans/Ground & Up)Keep up with all things Bluebird- including any operational news- via our Twitter feed @Bluebirdk7 –the only official source of Bluebird news! We also have our website, forum and online shop. Thanks for your support!
Bluebird Project - Progress 32 TheBluebirdProject 2018-11-28 | Dating from the start of August 2018, this video follows Bluebird as she is brought out of her workshop again and loaded onto a lorry and taken to Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute, where she finally takes to the water again for the first time in 51 years…Keep up with the project via our twitter @bluebirdk7 and chat to us there or on our forum, and don’t forget our online shop. Thanks for your support!
Bluebird Project - ITV Tyne Tees 7th August 2018 TheBluebirdProject 2018-08-20 | Further report from Amy Lea of ITV Tyne Tees on the early testing of Bluebird K7 on Loch Fad.Keep up to date with all things Bluebird on our website, forum and twitter; thanks!
Bluebird Project - ITV Tyne Tees 5th August 2018 TheBluebirdProject 2018-08-20 | Report from Amy Lea of ITV Tyne Tees on the early testing of Bluebird K7 on Loch Fad.Keep up to date with all things Bluebird on our website, forum and twitter; thanks!
Bluebird Project - The One Show 3rd August 2018 TheBluebirdProject 2018-08-19 | BBC 'The One Show' coverage of Bluebird's arrival on Bute.To keep up with the boat and our progress you can visit our website and join in with our forum at Bluebirdproject.com, and follow us on twitter @bluebirdk7
Bluebird Project - The One Show 7th August 2018 TheBluebirdProject 2018-08-18 | Here's the excellent piece by Andy Kershaw for BBC's 'The One Show' about Bluebird's triumphant return to the water on Loch Fad on the Isle Of Bute in August 2018...
Bluebird Project - Progress 31 TheBluebirdProject 2018-07-18 | Covering June into July 2018, work continues apace as we install the Orpheus engine into the boat and get her transferred onto our reproduction of the original launch and recovery cradle and get her out in the sunshine for some preliminary engine runs. Exciting stuff! We’re heading for Scotland in August 2018 for some crew training- we’ll be on site at Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute from the 4th- and we’ll update you on our Twitter as and when we can- @bluebirdk7 #bluebirdonbute Keep an eye on our progress with our daily picture on the website, chat to the team through our forum, watch out for the Twitter updates when we’re on site, and lend your support via our shop- thanks for watching!
Bluebird Project - Progress 30 TheBluebirdProject 2018-06-11 | Covering just a few weeks between May-June 2018, our progress continues thick and fast as we attach the sponsons and all their associated fairings and top covers, and generally build up the whole boat with an eye on our imminent crew training trip to Scotland later this year.Keep an eye on our progress with our daily picture on the website, chat to the team through our forum, and lend your support via our shop- thanks for watching!
Bluebird Project - Progress 29 TheBluebirdProject 2018-05-20 | Covering March-May 2018, our progress is coming faster than ever now as we permanently fit the front and main spars and much of the associated fairings, the rudder, and we start to repair the iconic tail fin. Finally, the nose is fitted and given a first coat of blue paint...Keep up with our progress by following our daily picture on our home page, chat to the team via our forum, and lend your support via our online shop- we're really getting there now!
Bluebird Project - Progress 28 TheBluebirdProject 2018-04-06 | Covering February-March 2018, in this video we see the rubbing down of the first coat of blue paint and further coats being applied, as well as work to install systems such as the electrics and hydraulics and the fitting of items such as the stabilising fin.You can follow our progress with daily picture updates on our website, chat to the team on our forum, and lend your support via our shop. Thanks!
Bluebird Project - The One Show 20th March 2018 TheBluebirdProject 2018-03-20 | The Bluebird Project appears on 'The One Show' on BBC1 on 20th March 2018.Visit our website to lend your support, follow our daily progress pictures, chat to the team on our forum, and nab some goodies from our shop. Thanks for watching!
Bluebird Project - Progress 27 TheBluebirdProject 2018-02-23 | Again covering just a single month over January - February 2018, in this video we see further surface preparation work and the final coats of primer before we get to the big moment- prising the lid from a can of a certain blue paint…To keep up with the project and support us in our push to get the boat wet for the first time in 2018, you can follow pictures of our progress every day on our website, visit our shop to buy some goodies or come for a chat with the team on our forum. Thank you for your support!
Bluebird Project - Progress 26 TheBluebirdProject 2018-01-20 | Covering just a single busy month from December 2017 – January 2018, in this video we see a lot of surface preparation work; the sides are blended into the floors as was done originally, and the floor is primed, painted, flatted, and painted some more! Then we move onto the upper bodywork and do much the same thing- filling, priming, losing panel joins where necessary, and so on; all as per the boat’s original condition as found.To keep up with the project you can follow our progress every day on our website, visit our shop to buy some goodies or come for a chat with the team on our forum. Thank you for your support!
Bluebird Project - Progress 25 TheBluebirdProject 2017-12-05 | Covering September- December 2017, in this video we see some really big milestones in the rebuild- the last ever body panel is fitted to the main hull, and the two original 20 foot long outer floor panels are riveted back on for good in two massive workshop sessions that saw all hands to the pumps and which mean that now, the main hull is watertight.To keep up with the project you can follow our progress every day on our website, visit our shop to buy some goodies or come for a chat with the team on our forum. Thank you for your support!
Bluebird Project - Progress 24 TheBluebirdProject 2017-09-17 | Covering May – September 2017, in this video we see some further big pieces of bodywork in progress and being refitted for good; the front outer floor is put on and crowned by the ‘dragon’s teeth’ fins, the right hand flute is attached along with its upper panels and we start on the outer floors, culminating in the repair of the first 20 foot long piece.Follow our progress every day on our website, visit our shop to buy your project goodies or come for a chat on our forum. Thank you for your support!
Bluebird Project - Progress 23 TheBluebirdProject 2017-05-29 | Covering February-May 2017, our latest video picks up right where the last one ended following the fitting of the rear planing wedge and sees some pretty big pieces of the boat in progress; the main outer floors receive some serious attention and the left hand flute is riveted on- the biggest single piece of bodywork to go back on to date. The forward end of the right hand flute is lovingly reclaimed from the scrap bin and reinstated and finally, the original left hand cockpit wall is riveted back on, fully enclosing the cockpit.Check out our website to follow our daily photo updates, visit our forum to chat to the team and why not swing by our shop as well! Thanks for your ongoing support.
Bluebird Project - Progress 22 TheBluebirdProject 2017-02-19 | Covering the period November 2016 - February 2017, our latest ‘Progress’ video starts with a reminder of the excitement of the first in-hull engine run for 50 years before we take the boat back indoors and get her stripped down and up into her rollover jig for the start of the final build of the bodywork, with the installation of some side panels, the start of repairing the floor skins and the milestone of the permanent refitting of the original rear planing wedge.For more progress don’t forget to follow our ‘pic of the day’ every day on the website, and come and have a chat on our forum and check out the online shop. Thanks for your support!
Bluebird Project - BBC North West Tonight 7 November 2016 TheBluebirdProject 2016-11-13 | North West version of the BBC evening news piece on 7th November 2016.
Bluebird Project - BBC Look North 7 November 2016 TheBluebirdProject 2016-11-08 | BBC News coverage of the first engine starting in Bluebird K7 for nearly 50 years.
Bluebird Project - Progress 21 TheBluebirdProject 2016-11-06 | Picking straight up from where we finished last time, our 21st progress video shows our engine idling on the test rig, and then running to 65% power while breathing through the boat’s air intakes. We introduce second driver Stew Campbell and then we install the engine into the hull and build up all the systems once again; at the same time, we start work on the frame for the cockpit canopy and the associated hardware, before a big day; 50 years to the week that Donald Campbell took Bluebird to Coniston for the last time, we take her outdoors and give the engine some runs...
Bluebird Project - Progress 20 TheBluebirdProject 2016-06-09 | In our biggest update video yet, we get to see the engine in the final stages of preparation for initial testing as well as the fully finished steering and hydraulic water brake systems in action and we finish with a brief test run of the hybrid 101/701 Orpheus up to idle speed; the video can’t convey the hot efflux and the smell of kerosene, but we hope you enjoy the sound!
Bluebird Project - Progress 19 TheBluebirdProject 2016-02-14 | Covering October 2015 - February 2016, this latest video sees us getting down into the details of rebuilding Bluebird’s systems; with the engine in for a first trial fit we could start to tailor things to suit the slightly longer Orpheus 101, particularly the air inlet trunk and the air start system. There’s also work on the fuel, steering, fire suppression, electrical and hydraulic systems, and the first test spin of the new engine actually in the boat, using the original air starter system; last time that happened was 49 years ago…Add your support, follow our progress and give us your feedback via our daily pictures, forum and diary at www.bluebirdproject.com
Bluebird Project - Progress 18 TheBluebirdProject 2015-10-25 | Covering April-October 2015, this bumper-length video follows the last of the work on the sponson tops and spar fairings before we took the completed sponsons, the spars and some of the coverings over to The Ruskin Museum in Coniston for public display in June. With a bit more space to work around the main hull of Bluebird we then turn our attentions to fitting out an Orpheus 101 engine with as many of K7’s original ancillaries as possible, and with work also ongoing on the boat’s hydraulics and steering we see the first ever twitch of the rudder and the first compressed air test of the hydraulic water brake ram before finally, we trial install an engine into the boat for the first time. Not bad for six months!Follow our progress via our daily pictures, forum and diary at www.bluebirdproject.com
Bluebird Project - Progress 17 TheBluebirdProject 2015-04-20 | Picking up immediately where our previous video left off, this latest entry in our ‘Progress’ series covers just a 10 week period up to date (mid-April 2015) and shows the continuing work to finish all the sponson top covers and fairings, leading up to a boat that looks essentially complete. Once we have a finished set of bodywork, we’ll be stripping her down again to a central hull- ready for systems.Follow our daily progress pictures, come and chat with the restoration team on our forum or subscribe for further video updates, all at www.bluebirdproject,comThanks for your support!
Bluebird Project - Progress 16 TheBluebirdProject 2015-02-15 | Covering the period between October 2014 and January 2015, our latest progress video features the fitting (at last!) of the final top ‘lid’ skins to both new sponsons, subsequent work on the sponson top covers- both original and new- and includes a visit from Bluebird’s new driver Ted Walsh. For daily progress photos, to talk to the team on our forum, or to generally lend your support, please visit www.bluebirdproject.com
