Leo Villa's Bluebird Album

Book excerpt: This is the definitive photographic record of Donald Campbell’s legendary Bluebirds, captured through the twin lenses of Leo Villa’s Stereo Realist Camera, and other images of the time. An amazing body of photojournalism in color, 3D and black & white, that captures the life-and-death drama that was played out against the barren landscapes of salt beds and the magnificent backdrop of Coniston Water. It also puts the story in its historic background, showing the fashions and styles of the day. In 1964 Donald Campbell and his team went to Australia with the intention of breaking the land and water speed records in the same year. The Double. An adventure unsurpassed in record breaking history, complicated by difficulty and obstacles. A constant fight against the elements and the technicalities of high speed vehicles. For 12 years Donald Campbell dominated the record breaking scene on both sides of the Atlantic and throughout this period he was aided and advised by Leo Villa, his friend and chef d’équipe, who had known him since childhood. Leo played a unique part in record breaking history and helped break 10 land speed records and 11 water speed records with Donald and Malcolm Campbell and their legendary Bluebirds.