Bluebird CMN-8

"Bluebird Mach 1.1" (CMN-8) was a design for a rocket-powered supersonic land speed record car, planned by Donald Campbell but thwarted by his death during a water speed record attempt in Bluebird K7.cite book
title=The Land Speed Record
last=Holthusen
first=Peter J.R.
isbn=0854294996
date=1986
pages=p67]

The design for the 22' long car had been prepared by Ken Norris. Power was to be a pair of Bristol Siddeley BS.605 hydrogen peroxide / kerosene RATO rocket engines. The layout was a dart-shaped tricycle, similar to Breedlove's Spirit of America. The rear wheels were spaced far apart from the fuselage on outriggers, shrouded in large rectangular spats that also formed vertical stabilisers together with a central tailfin. The driver's cockpit was in the nose, keeping the profile low.

In 1965 a promotional model was displayed outside Campbell's house.

Interest in the project was such that the Jamaican Government offered to construct a 14 mile track to host the record.

After Campbell's death, the project continued at a low key for some years, still involving Leo Villa and Ken Norris as Design Consultant from 1968-1971. In 1973, Nigel McKnight became involved, but failed to raise the necessary sponsorship. cite web
title=Speed Records
url=http://www.olympus.u-net.com/wlsr04.htm
author=Roy S. Peters
date=2005]

The model disappeared and its present whereabouts are unknown. It was possibly buried in building foundations, along with the wrecked sponsons of the crashed K7.cite book
title=The Bluebird Years
last=Knowles |first=Arthur
publisher=Sigma Leisure
date=2001
isbn=978-1-85058-766-8
pages=p.]

The project is little-known today, although some model makers offer replicas.cite web
title=Bluebird models
url=http://www.speedline-models.com/page3.html
publisher=Speedline Models] cite web
title=Bluebird CMN-8 model
url=http://www.johnshintonmodels.co.uk/showcase2.htm
publisher=John Shinton Models]

See also

* Blue Flame

References