Bluebird of Chelsea

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi Guys,

Nothing to do with paddlers, but does anyone living down in the south east of England have any photos of "Bluebird of Chelsea" or even better, anyone prepared to take some of the boat as she is now?

For those that don't know the boat, she was originally owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell and took part in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.

Apart from my interest in paddlers, I also have a passion for the world water speed record craft, and would dearly like to build an accurate model of this boat, so if anyone can help I'd be VERY grateful!

[David Allinson]

Eddy.  
I believe that the garage that was the centre of Sir Donald Campells’ “empire” is now a Conran restaurant. I visited it some years ago and think that at the time they had some pictures around the place of his cars and boats.  
This is the site for the restaurant http://www.conran-restaurants.co.uk/restaurants/bluebird/  
They may know something and be able to help, then they may not!!  
Sorry, I can’t be more helpful.  
David     
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Hi Guys,
 
 Nothing to do with paddlers, but does anyone living down in the south east of England have any photos of "Bluebird of Chelsea" or even better, anyone prepared to take some of the boat as she is now? <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]>

[ajg141]

Eddy

One of our EMBC members has a scratchbuilt Bluebird of Chelsea. I'll have a word with him on Sunday at our season opening regatta and see if he has any plans and/or photos that might be of help to you. I'll be in touch after the weekend.

Andrew

[Eddy Matthews]

Cheers Andy, I appreciate that.... I have plans for the boat, it's photos that I'm really after if possible...

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Eddy,
If my memory serves correct there were plans for the "Blue Bird" in Model Boats magazine some years back, there may even have been a hull available! I will try to find my copys so you can at least find the year to look in.
Gerald

[Eddy Matthews]

Another kind soul has already beaten you to it Gerald :-)

I have a copy of the plans from Model Boats, and he's sorting out photocopies of the build article. I plan on building at 1:12 scale which is twice the size that the plans were drawn at.

But many thanks for taking the time to respond, much appreciated.

[arrow5]

Glad you got what you needed. The next subject has got to be Sir Malcolm's other yacht (Bluebird  VI or VII) ! A very grand ocean going vessel which I saw as a child when it transitted the Caledonian Canal.  OOPS sorry , back to paddlers then ! :

[Eddy Matthews]

I have to admit that I don't really like Sir Malcolms later boat Duncan, it just doesn't have the same "style" to me....

Anyway, gotta finish the Suter sternwheeler before I embark on yet another project! Bluebird of Chelsea will be next on my never ending list...

[arrow5]

Yes Eddy, I've got a list like that too !  Always fancied a K2 Bluebird with big petrol motor , built like the American "unlimited" models they race there. Large-ish scale. So many models...so little time !  Good luck with the stern-wheeler building.