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Sixty years ago today (Wednesday) a British flying boat aircraft built by Saunders-Roe, based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, took its maiden flight.
The Saunders-Roe SR.45 Princess was one of the largest aircraft in existence.
Back in 1945, Saunders-Roe was asked by the British Ministry of Supply to bid for a long range civil flying boat for British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), who planned to use them on transatlantic passenger services.
Saunders-Roe's bid was successful, and it received an order for three aircraft in May 1946.
However by the 1950s large, commercial flying boats were being overshadowed by land-based aircraft. Factors such as runway and airport improvements added to the viability of land-based aircraft, which did not have the weight and drag of the boat hulls on seaplanes nor the issues with seawater corrosion.
The BOAC reevaluated its needs in 1951 and determined it had no need for the Princess. It was announced that construction of the three aircraft would continue as transport aircraft for the RAF.
The other two prototypes, which had been partially constructed, never flew. The fuselage of one became a landmark in Cowes until 1967.
Today, sixty years on, the Princess 60 celebrations will start at noon with a commemorative ceremony on East Cowes waterfront by the Island’s Lord Lieutenant, Maj Gen Martin White.
A seaplane flypast is planned for 12.28pm, off East Cowes — 60 years after that maiden flight.
Following that an informal reception will be held in East Cowes Town Hall. It includes a talk by Eric Verdon-Roe about the life of his grandfather A.V. Roe, of Saunders-Roe.
Tony Ballard's Dad Ivan worked as a manager on the craft and remembers his fathers work sixty years on. He's been speaking to Isle of Wight Radio's Charles Ballard. Click above to listen.
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