Bluebird K7 will run on Coniston Water again with engineering team

That is what was confirmed by The Ruskin Museum as the boat was unveiled at its new home.

Donald Campbell was attempting a new water speed record on Coniston Water on January 4 1967 when the vessel flipped into the air and disintegrated, killing him.

The wreckage, along with Mr Campbell’s body with his race suit intact, was recovered in 2001 by engineer Bill Smith.

He restored the hydroplane with a team of volunteers at the Bluebird Project in North Shields.

On Saturday, the K7 travelled 147 miles from North Shields to Coniston with thousands of people following its progress. 

More than 1,000 people welcomed the boat as it arrived in Coniston on Saturday evening. A shire horse and a piper led the truck through the streets, and were joined by Donald Campbell's daughter Gina and her partner, Brian Eastham.

Ms Campbell said: “At last, I shall be able to fulfil my promise made to Coniston way back in 2001 that Bluebird would return to the village and people that my father held so dear to him.”

In a press conference on Saturday, David Barzilay, director of communications for the museum, said: “This morning, we are happy to announce that the boat will run again on Coniston at a time to be agreed in the future.”

Jeff Carroll, vice chairman of the Trustee Board, said the Bluebird Wing has been like 'a ring without the diamond in' and acknowledged the work done by Bill Smith.

Mr Carroll said: "We would not be here without Bill Smith and we have to acknowledge the incredible effort that Bill and his team have made in the restoration of Bluebird.

"Not just in the restoration but the salvage of the boat from the lake. It takes a special kind of character to follow through on a project like that.

"The museum and everyone who is a Campbell enthusiast will always be in his debt for that persistence. "

The Bluebird wing was opened in 2010 and Mr Carroll went on to address that now K7 is back, there will be lots of work to do.

Much of the speculation has been around whether she will be looked after by an engineering team.

Mr Carroll added: "We have an engineering team in place to take the boat to the next stage on its journey and are talking to potential partners who wish to help the museum create an ongoing legacy for Bluebird K7 and ensure that its progress is shared with the public worldwide."

The team says they are taking a bit of a rest after what they say has been a 'hell of a journey' with the next steps being to get the engine in the boat and get her out on the lake.

Given the interest in Bluebird on her return to Coniston, the team says any outing on the water is going to require major people management plans and working with the authorities.

Mr Carroll added: "But the aim is to get her on the lake and let everyone see her - but to emphasise she will not be doing 300mph."

Director of the museum, Tracy Hodgson, said she had to 'pinch herself' this morning when she came in to see the Bluebird present in its new wing.

She added: "We are now able to able to show this iconic hydroplane to the world, and the younger generation will be able to learn of the achievements of her skipper, Donald Campbell CBE and pay tribute to him."