Campbell, Sir Malcolm

Campbell, Sir Malcolm (1885-1949), b. Chislehurst, Kent, England.

At one time he held the world land speed record and the world water speed record.

From 1923-35 Malcolm Campbell repeatedly made attempts upon the land speed record and his most successful cars, called Bluebird, were known all over the world.

In 1922 the record stood at 129.16mph (207.87 kph). Campbell broke it eight times and finally, at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA raised it to 301.126mph (484.616 kph).

Later he attacked the world water speed record. In 1937 he set a new record of 129.55mph (208.50 kph), in 1938 reached 130.92mph (210.70 kph) and in 1939 raised the record to 141.73mph (228.10 kph) on Coniston Water, Lancashire.

Campbell was knighted in 1931. His son, Donald, followed in his footsteps as a record-breaker.