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Sir Malcolm Campbell

(1885-1948), Racing motorist; holder of land and water speed records

Sitter in 11 portraits
Born in Kent, Campbell won gold medals in the London to Lands End motorcycle trials, 1906-08. In 1910 he began racing at Brooklands in cars he called 'The Flapper'. After the 1914-18 War, in which he served in the Royal Flying Corps, Campbell won over 400 motor-racing trophies, including the 200-mile race at Brooklands in 1927 and 1928. He set up a series of world speed records in motor and hydro-plane racing, driving the Campbell-Napier Blue Bird designed by Amherst-Villiers. At Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, in 1935, he was the first motorist to exceed 300 mph, and in 1939 he established the water-speed record of 141.7 mph. His son Donald followed him as 'Speed King' of the twentieth century.

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Sir Malcolm Campbell

by H.A. Stermann
resin and bronze life-mask, circa 1935
NPG 4195

Sir Malcolm Campbell

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 7 January 1931
NPG x19209

Sir Malcolm Campbell

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 7 January 1931
NPG x19210

Sir Malcolm Campbell

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 7 January 1931
NPG x19211

Sir Malcolm Campbell

by Reuben Saidman, for Daily Herald
modern bromide print from original negative, 24 June 1937
NPG x88290

Sir Malcolm Campbell

by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1940s
NPG x27589

Sir Malcolm Campbell

by David Jagger
brush and black ink with white heightening, published 1926
NPG D42940

Sir Malcolm Campbell

by Fred Roe
print, 1928
NPG D43180a

Sir Malcolm Campbell

by Unknown photographer, issued by Carreras Tobacco Company
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D49317

Sir Malcolm Campbell

issued by Gallaher Ltd
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1936
NPG D48988

Sir Malcolm Campbell

issued by W.A. & A.C. Churchman
relief halftone cigarette card, 1939
NPG D49277

Related People

Donald Malcolm Campbell (son)
Dorothy Emily Evelyn (née Whittall), Lady Campbell (wife)

Groups

Racing drivers

Places

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Sir Malcolm Campbell