1-629-686 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sir Malcolm Campbell (1885-1948) in 'BlueBird', Daytona Beach, Florida, 7th March 1935 1936). Campbell set a world land speed record of 272.46 mph at Daytona, Florida in 1933. He was the holder of both land and water speed records from 1927 onwards. In 1935 he became the first man to break 300 mph on land reaching 301.1291 mph in Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. In 1939 he achieved his fastest speed on water with 141.74 mph, a record that was still his when he died in 1948. He called all his racing cars and speed boats 'Bluebird' after the symbol of unattainability in the play of the same name by Maurice Maeterlinck. From "His Majesty the King, 1910-1935", introduction by HW Wilson (Associated Newspapers Ltd, London, 1936).