An aerial view of the prototype Princess during high-speed runs on the Solent on August 22, 1952. Shortly after this photograph was taken test pilot Geoffrey Tyson lifted the Princess into the air for its maiden flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

Looking even larger out of water, the massive Princess prototype, G-ALUN, is seen at Cowes on August 19, 1952. The first flight was made on August 22. The SR.A/1 TG263 can be seen at left.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952Saunders-Roe SR.A1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

The prototype Princess's wingtip floats were flat-topped to align with the wing ribs when retracted.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

In all, the Princess had 96 propeller blades - Geoffrey Tyson insisted that he could tell when an engine failed!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

The prototype Princess G-ALUN on the Solent. Moving on the water was not an easy business despite the reverse thrust facility on the outer engines.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

Two views of the Princess fuselage being moved from its building stocks to the main Saro erection shop on July 26, 1949. The Editor’s father, E. J. Riding, can be seen walking stage right behind the line of onlookers.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

The Princess was powered by ten Bristol Proteus 2 engines, each rated at 3,200 h.p. They were installed in four coupled pairs and two single outboard units. Pictured here is one of the coupled Proteus engines.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

What must be one of the most magnificent sights in British aviation - the Princess prototype in majestic flight over the Solent. The all-up weight of the Princess was about the same as that of a fully laden Boeing 707.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

Saro test pilot Geoffrey Tyson gives scale to the Princess in August 1952.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

Wooden mock-up of the Princess’s flightdeck, giving some idea of the spacious cabin layout.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952

The full-size wooden mock­up of the 148ft-long fuselage in April 1949. By comparison, the length of Howard Hughes’s Hercules, the world’s largest ever flying-boat, was 218ft 6 1/4 in.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Princess / SR.45 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1952