This Day in Aviation History
August 22nd, 1952
First flight of the Saunders-Roe Princess flying boat.

The Saunders-Roe SR.45 Princess was a British flying boat aircraft built by Saunders-Roe, based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The Princess was the largest all-metal flying boat ever constructed.

The project was cancelled after having produced only three examples. 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 three airframes were stored against possible purchase but when an offer was made it was found that corrosion had set in; as a result they were scrapped….

Source:
Wikipedia, Saunders-Roe Princess: http://gstv.us/1MDH8iU

YouTube, Saunders-Roe Princess Flying Boats: http://gstv.us/1MDH9U9

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Photo from: http://gstv.us/2b2abBr

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