Go to the top of the class if you recalled it as the place where Donald Campbell broke the world water speed record in 1964 and became the only person ever to break both land and water speed records in the same calendar year. He completed this feat on Dec 31st, 1964 with only 8 hours to spare.
Today, Dumbleyung officially opened it's interpretive centre wherein resides a full-scale replica of the Bluebird jet hydroplane which broke the record. Along with a stack of informative displays and pictures, and the Community Resource Centre in the old Post Office across the road, it is a fascinating insight into the technology and community effort involved in making this successful attempt possible.
The opening was performed by Gina Campbell, Donald Campbell's daughter, who is a world water speed record holder in her own right. She also unveiled a bust of her father constructed of chicken wire. It alone is worth a visit if only to marvel at the skill involved in creating a clearly recognizable likeness of a famous figure in such an unlikely material.
And I was lucky enough to briefly hold "Mr Whoppit" Donald Campbell's mascot, who made it back to the surface following Bluebird's break up during a further record attempt in the UK in 1967 which resulted in Donald Campbell's death.
If you are passing through Dumbleyung, the replica is adjacent to a large parking area right on the main road and the Resource centre serves an excellent coffee and cake while you are studying the displays.
Cheers
C00P
jules47 said
09:34 PM Jan 17, 2017
Thanks COOP - sounds an interesting place to visit!
kiwijims said
02:45 AM Jan 18, 2017
Great write up, thanks COOP,
For those who don't know where Dumbleyung is, here is it's location..............
On further searching, I have discovered this is an RV Friendly town, it has a free 72 hr camping area with hot showers, and Dump Point .
( If you don't want to pay $20.00 p/n at the local C.P. )
K.J.
-- Edited by kiwijims on Wednesday 18th of January 2017 03:13:04 AM
-- Edited by kiwijims on Wednesday 18th of January 2017 03:23:40 AM
woolman said
10:23 AM Jan 18, 2017
Remember the day well. It was very hot, well over 100 (no metric then). I remember the day before that the first run was completed well over record but a duck bugged that day. It landed on the lake when he was about to do the run the opposite direction. Apparently the ripple from this duck makes it too dangerous, the boat become a plane. It looked like glass to me but then I was not going to drive the boat.
I think he must turn around and do return run before the return wash comes back from the boat. I do remenber that could not believe any duck would be within 50 miles with all the noise. Maybe it was deaf from all the shot guns that have been shot at it in its life time.
good memories
Neil
C00P said
06:16 PM Jan 18, 2017
There's no rush- the Resource Centre doesn't open again until January 23rd...
I think the duck itself was the main concern- hitting one at over 200mph could spoil your whole day. I doubt the ripples from a single duck would affect the Bluebird much, but as you said, we are not hydroplane pilots!!
One look at the film of the machine at speed was enough to convince me that I could not have done what he did...
Cheers
Hi folks,
Does anyone remember this town's claim to fame?
Go to the top of the class if you recalled it as the place where Donald Campbell broke the world water speed record in 1964 and became the only person ever to break both land and water speed records in the same calendar year. He completed this feat on Dec 31st, 1964 with only 8 hours to spare.
Today, Dumbleyung officially opened it's interpretive centre wherein resides a full-scale replica of the Bluebird jet hydroplane which broke the record. Along with a stack of informative displays and pictures, and the Community Resource Centre in the old Post Office across the road, it is a fascinating insight into the technology and community effort involved in making this successful attempt possible.
The opening was performed by Gina Campbell, Donald Campbell's daughter, who is a world water speed record holder in her own right. She also unveiled a bust of her father constructed of chicken wire. It alone is worth a visit if only to marvel at the skill involved in creating a clearly recognizable likeness of a famous figure in such an unlikely material.
And I was lucky enough to briefly hold "Mr Whoppit" Donald Campbell's mascot, who made it back to the surface following Bluebird's break up during a further record attempt in the UK in 1967 which resulted in Donald Campbell's death.
If you are passing through Dumbleyung, the replica is adjacent to a large parking area right on the main road and the Resource centre serves an excellent coffee and cake while you are studying the displays.
Cheers
C00P
Great write up, thanks COOP,
For those who don't know where Dumbleyung is, here is it's location..............
Dumbleyung is a town and shire in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 267 kilometres (166 mi) south-east of Perth between Wagin and Lake Grace on State Route 107.
On further searching, I have discovered this is an RV Friendly town, it has a free 72 hr camping area with hot showers, and Dump Point .
( If you don't want to pay $20.00 p/n at the local C.P. )
K.J.
-- Edited by kiwijims on Wednesday 18th of January 2017 03:13:04 AM
-- Edited by kiwijims on Wednesday 18th of January 2017 03:23:40 AM
Remember the day well. It was very hot, well over 100 (no metric then). I remember the day before that the first run was completed well over record but a duck bugged that day. It landed on the lake when he was about to do the run the opposite direction. Apparently the ripple from this duck makes it too dangerous, the boat become a plane. It looked like glass to me but then I was not going to drive the boat.
I think he must turn around and do return run before the return wash comes back from the boat. I do remenber that could not believe any duck would be within 50 miles with all the noise. Maybe it was deaf from all the shot guns that have been shot at it in its life time.
good memories
Neil
I think the duck itself was the main concern- hitting one at over 200mph could spoil your whole day. I doubt the ripples from a single duck would affect the Bluebird much, but as you said, we are not hydroplane pilots!!
One look at the film of the machine at speed was enough to convince me that I could not have done what he did...
Cheers
C00P