18 August 2012Last updated at 09:10

In pictures: Flying boat's maiden flight celebrated

The 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Saunders Roe Princess – the largest all metal flying boat ever constructed - is being marked on the Isle of Wight.

The Cowes-based firm was commissioned by the British Ministry of Supply in 1945 to design a long range civil flying boat to fly non-stop across the Atlantic for British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC).

Workman working on the Saunders Roe Princess

Three examples of the Princess were constructed. Only the first, which carried the registration mark G-ALUN, was ever flown.

Spectators lined the shore to watch the Saunders Roe Princess's maiden flight

Spectators lined the shore to watch the 10 engine, six propeller flying boat make its first flight on 22 August 1952.

Saunders Roe Princess under construction

The second and third Princesses never got beyond the basic airframe stage. BOAC shelved the project in favour of land-based aircraft, the flying boats were cocooned and put into long-term storage on the island.

The Princess had logged around 97 flying hours and made 47 flights before it was broken up for scrap in 1967.

A ceremony and seaplane flypast to mark the maiden flight will take place on East Cowes waterfront by Columbine Road on Wednesday 22 August from 12:00 BST. A exhibition on the 1950s craft will feature at the town's Classic Boat Museum until 26 August.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight

In pictures: Flying boat's maiden flight celebrated

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