Fighter planes pay tribute to speed legend Donald Campbell on 100th birthday

By dipping their wings in salute as they roared overhead, the RAF Hawks were replicating a manoeuvre carried out by a Vulcan bomber the day after the death of Donald Campbell CBE on January 4, 1967.

Mr Campbell broke multiple absolute world speed records during the 1950s and 1960s and died during a record attempt on Coniston Water.

The fighter plane tribute was an emotive moment for Mr Campbell's daughter Gina Campbell, who laid flowers at Coniston Water and was joined there by a small group of trustees from the Ruskin Museum.

Miss Campbell brought with her Mr Whoppit, the 1950s teddy bear that was her father's lucky mascot.

She said: "I am touched by the RAF’s mark of respect and their act was a fitting tribute to my father, who would have been thrilled by the gesture.

"I cannot thank the RAF and the crews who flew today enough for their thoughtful tribute, especially Flight Lieutenant Eddie Craig, who led the flypast from 4 AC Squadron at RAF Valley [Anglesey].

FLOWERS: Gina Campbell holding Mr Whoppit. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA

“My father is buried in Coniston but it is also his spiritual home and, every year, thousands of people visit the Ruskin Museum to learn more about his incredible journey through life, gaining speed records on both land and water.

“He loved Coniston and its people, as I have done over the years, and having a museum that tells the story is a lasting tribute.

"We hope that soon Bluebird K7 which my family gifted the museum will return to Coniston.”

The wreckage of that boat - in which Mr Campbell died - was gifted to the Ruskin Museum by his family in 2006. It was handed over to Tyneside engineer Bill Smith for restoration but is yet to be returned.

Jeff Carroll, of the Ruskin Museum, said: “Keeping Donald Campbell’s memory alive and enabling people from around the world to visit Coniston and learn about his achievements is telling an important chapter in the history of Coniston, and indeed the United Kingdom.

EMOTIONAL: RAF jets pay tribute to Donald Campbell with Coniston Water flyover

"Coniston is extremely proud of its association with its adopted son, and the world-beating achievements reached on our lake.

“Both Donald and his father, Sir Malcolm, had a deep affection for Coniston and its people.

"It is our honour and privilege to honour what would have been Donald’s 100th Birthday today in the best way we can, given the current restrictions.”

After the flypast, Miss Campbell and museum trustees visited Mr Campbell's grave in Coniston.