The Ruskin Museum has been donated a further Orpheus Jet engine for Donald Campbell’s Bluebird K7.
Vice Chairman of the Ruskin Museum Trustees, Jeff Carroll said: “It’s almost as if it’s Christmas here at the Museum, since we have been donated a further Orpheus Jet Engine for Bluebird K7 to complement the previous donation of two, announced earlier in the year”
He added: “It comes after our announcement earlier in the month regarding our engineering partnership with WEC Group, Ltd who will be involved in the installation of a new engine and refurbishment once Bluebird K7 is back in the Museum’s possession.”
Jeff said: “This new donation is a 101 mark from a Folland Gnat complete with jet pipe, shroud, ancillaries, and original engine stand, from the same people who donated the previous engines. We know this engine will fit into K7 once we make some simple modifications.
The same modifications the original Bluebird Team made to their Orpheus 701 mark on the original engines in 1966, it should be stressed that no other version of the Orpheus will fit within the hull of Bluebird K7 without alteration to both the engine and the craft, as K7 was originally designed to house the Beryl turbojet. The Bluebird Project also had to modify their engine to fit within the hull”
“The modifications required include alterations to a bulkhead flange ring to allow the engine to fit, as well as some other modifications.”
He added: “This is a significant further donation, the engine is in excellent condition having completed minimal running hours since overhaul.”
Jeff said: “This donation is a great example of the support the Museum is receiving from many people and organisations. We are extremely grateful to those who have made this donation in addition to the original gift of the two 803 type Orpheus engines. To have these, alongside the ancillaries and spare parts is amazing and will help us to get Bluebird K7 back in the Museum, and hopefully back on Coniston Water under her own power all the faster once we secure physical possession.”
He added: “This gives the Museum up to three working Orpheus engines to allow us to move forward with confidence, maintaining Bluebird K7 in operable condition well into the future alongside our engineering partners WEC Group Ltd, which we can progress with as soon as we have possession and control of our property, Bluebird K7.”
