BLUEBIRD MAGAZINE FEATURE

THIS IS A COPY OF A NEWSPAPER ARTCLE REPORTING OUR BLUEBIRD MOVEMENT.

In the September 1997 issue of Truck & Van Mart we were privileged  to have a special feature regarding the transportation of the bluebird published.  Following is the transcript from this feature:

In the time span of over 60 years, haulier of Robert Walker can lay claim to having transported an assortment of cargoes.  But by far the most distinguished to-date is that of the world land and water speed record holders of 1964; The Bluebirds CN 7 (car) and K7 turbo-jet
hydroplane (boat).

Due to their success in the hands of Donald Campbell, a six venue tour took place in 1965 to exhibit those
mechanical marvels.

From their Cheshire based premises Eric Walker - one of two sons of company founder Robert recalls being
responsible for the safe and secure movements of the Bluebirds for more than two thirds of the tour.  Highlighting some of the hurdles they had to overcome handling a
consignment not only worth in excess of £1 million, but one that had captured much of the nations imagination.

"Being associated with the Bluebird exhibition tour is something Walkers have always been proud of" said Eric appreciatively, "though the schedule seemed a little
muddled in the beginning".

"The first exhibition took place on the 6th of July at the Bingley Hall, Birmingham," he informed, "But due to a communication misunderstanding we still remained to another contract with the heavy haulage vehicles and didn't marry up with the Bluebirds until 27^th of that month in Harrogate.

"As it happened, the Bluebird K7 didn't arrive until the second exhibition which took place at the Pavillion Gardens, Buxton, between the 19^th and 24^th July.  However, the CN7 wasn't alone at Birmingham."

"It had been decided to include another world record breaker in its own right and that was of Donald's late father, Sir Malcolm Campbell."

"Thankfully from Harrogate onwards the schedule went pretty much as planned,"
continued Eric.

"Transportation for the Bluebirds came in the form of two low-loader trailers, one with a Leyland Beaver under it and the other a Super Comet.  The sunbeam was easily
secured to a Bedford R type flat bed."

"The next venue was held at Belle Vue, Manchester and throughout our journey across the Pennines admirers sped past in their cars and waited further on to catch a glimpse of the Bluebirds.  A sight we were to become accustomed to over the next few months."

"The weight of the Bluebirds never proved to be a problem but their size did, especially when the place designated for exhibiting them at Belle Vue was the old lion house - a building with limited access leaving little margin for error."

"Although both differed in width and length: the CN7 being 31ft x 8ft 4 ins, while the K7 was 28ft x 10.6ins."   

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