Andy's model record bid

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of speed legend Donald Campbell, a man from Hailsham will soon attempt to smash a water speed record of his own.

Andy Sansom, 29, of Stroma Gardens, is in the process of creating a 6ft long, radio controlled replica of Donald Campbell's famous jet-powered superboat, Bluebird.

He hopes his fibreglass model craft, which will also be fitted with a jet engine, will reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, creating a new world record for remote controlled boats.

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The Bluebird was the boat in which Donald Campbell was killed on Coniston Lake, Cumbria, in 1967. After reaching speeds of more than 300 miles per hour, the craft's nose lifted in the air, causing it to somersault and disintegrate on impact with the water.

'I started building my boat after I heard about the Bluebird being recovered last year,' said Andy. 'Mine won't be an exact replica in every way, but it will look very like the original and be painted the same colour.

'I have incorporated some new technology in my model which probably wasn't available to Donald Campbell when he built his, to stop it from lifting out of the water.'

Any companies interested in being associated with the project should contact Andy on [email protected]

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