W.A. Camp on lake showing Bluebird undergoing repairs.
3 1/2 ft


MS Mechanics working around Bluebird
6 ft


MCU Man at tail fin of Bluebird - Mr Les. Wasley (Ajax) is fitting the 16 m.m. gun camera which will film the car when it makes its record bid
7 1/2 ft


CU Wasley
10 ft


CU fingers adjusting lens
12 1/2 ft


MS Men working at tail of Bluebird
14 1/2 ft


MCU Man inside Bluebird cockpit - working on the changeover of batteries and checking instruments
18 ft


High angle instruments in cockpit
20 1/2 ft


Hand at instrument panel
25 ft


WA car and camp
28 1/2 ft



Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Minor setbacks confronted officials at LAKE EYRE, in SOUTH AUSTRALIA's Far-North on Wednesday (29.4.64) in their preparations for Donald CAMPBELL's land speed record attempt.

The first speed run was postponed after further rain fell on the Lake and the Bluebird had developed an electrical fault.

The project director, Mr Andrew MUSTARD, who's also Mr CAMPBELL's co-driver, said that weather conditions were highly unsuitable for the scheduled first speed run,and it was unlikely that this would be held for at least several days.

Following overnight rain, the weather at LAKE EYRE was moist and humic, with gusty winds. At midday, light rain continued to fall on the course area.

An electrical fault which developed in Bluebird on Tuesday night (28.4.64.) thwarted first attempts to fire the car's engine.

The team of mechanics spent the following day tracing the fault, checking instruments and replacing batteries.

The fault was later traced to a loose connection in the ignition system. It was considered not serious.

There'd been no spark from the engine although it was turning correctly and fuel was being pumped into the firing chambers.

The Bluebird team is now hoping for two or three days of drying weather so that the track will be suitable for the speed run.

Already, the rain has softened the salt surface and only four-wheel drive vehicles have been able to move off the lake.

The heavier vehicles cannot be moved because of the danger of breaking through the salt crust.

Weather conditions in the LAKE EYRE district of SOUTH AUSTRALIA, a constant worry all the week to officials controlling Donald CAMPBELL's land speed record bid, took a turn for the better today.

A message from the Lake area this morning (30.4.64) said that conditions were perfect, with a cloudless sky and little wind.

The message said that the prepared speed track on the Lake, on which gaugings of up to half and inch of rain were recorded yesterday, now appeared to be drying out.

However, it was unlikely that the Bluebird's first speed trial -- originally scheduled for the beginning of this week -- would be held for a couple of days yet.