![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Malcolm_Campbell_le_19_ao%25C3%25BBt_1939_sur_Bluebird_K4_1750CV%252C_record_mondial_de_vitesse_aquatique_%25C3%25A0_Coniston_Water%252C_Lancashire_%2528226%252C784_kmh%2529.jpg/640px-Malcolm_Campbell_le_19_ao%25C3%25BBt_1939_sur_Bluebird_K4_1750CV%252C_record_mondial_de_vitesse_aquatique_%25C3%25A0_Coniston_Water%252C_Lancashire_%2528226%252C784_kmh%2529.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Blue Bird K4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blue Bird K4 was a powerboat commissioned in 1939 by Sir Malcolm Campbell, to rival the Americans' efforts in the fight for the world water speed record.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Blue_Bird_K4_%28drawing%29.png/220px-Blue_Bird_K4_%28drawing%29.png)
The name "K4" was derived from its Lloyd's unlimited rating, and was carried in a prominent circular badge on the forward hull. As this was Campbell's second boat, it was also known as Blue Bird II. He used the name for a series of land speed record cars, his record boats and also his motor yacht.[lower-roman 1]
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Malcolm_Campbell_le_19_ao%C3%BBt_1939_sur_Bluebird_K4_1750CV%2C_record_mondial_de_vitesse_aquatique_%C3%A0_Coniston_Water%2C_Lancashire_%28226%2C784_kmh%29.jpg/640px-Malcolm_Campbell_le_19_ao%C3%BBt_1939_sur_Bluebird_K4_1750CV%2C_record_mondial_de_vitesse_aquatique_%C3%A0_Coniston_Water%2C_Lancashire_%28226%2C784_kmh%29.jpg)
K4 was built by Vosper & Company as a replacement for Blue Bird K3, which had set three other water speed records for Malcolm Campbell before the K4 was built. It also used the same Rolls-Royce R engine.