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| The three prototypes of the giant Saro SR.45 Princess flying-boat, ordered in May 1946, were intended for non-stop transatlantic service by BOAC, but early post-war appreciation that landplanes could operate on this route just as safely and more economically killed all interest. Instead, the boats were to be completed as long-range military transports for the RAF, but the lack of a suitable powerplant brought even these optimistic hopes to an end. Larger than the Martin Mars and heavier than the Bristol Brabazon I, the Princess prototype was flown for the first time on 22 August 1952 and spanned 66.90m with its wingtip floats retracted, weighed 156,492kg on take-off, and could attain a maximum speed of 579km/h on the power of its 10 2386kW Bristol Proteus 600 turboprop engines. These were mounted in the wings as two single outboard engines and four inboard paired engines, but development problems with the gearboxes of the inboard engines contributed to the decision to end development. The second and third Princesses did not fly and were cocooned.
FACTS AND FIGURES © The four inboard nacelle units
were coupled engines driving
contra-rotating propellers.
The outboards were single
engines and propellers. © Despite the obvious
obsolescence of the flying
boar, Saro wanted to build
even bigger jet versions with
up to 1000 passengers. © The flight deck crew consisted of
two pilots, two flight engineers, a
radio operator and a navigator.
Two decks carried 105 passengers
in first and tourist class.
| MODEL | SR.45 "Princess" |
| CREW | 6 |
| PASSENGERS | 200 |
| ENGINE | 10 x 3780hp Bristol Proteus 2 turboprops |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 156500 kg | 345025 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 66.90 m | 220 ft 6 in |
| Length | 45.11 m | 148 ft 0 in |
| Height | 17.37 m | 57 ft 0 in |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 612 km/h | 380 mph |
| Cruise speed | 579 km/h | 360 mph |
| Range | 8484 km | 5272 miles |
| mr ;mrs eyles, e-mail, 06.04.2008 20:39 can anyone tell me,what year the two planes was broken up in the isle of wight reply | | ashley, e-mail, 11.03.2008 19:24 I recall seeing the one near Southampton, and then the one in Cowes, when I went on a school trip to the Isle of W in June 1961. I was told They had been coccooned in a layer of rubber to preserve them. I understand they were broken up not long afterwards reply | | Luis M. Moreno, e-mail, 05.01.2008 14:55 A fabulous and advanced flying boat lost without profit. reply | | Alan Bradshaw, e-mail, 27.12.2007 07:34 As a boy of 14 in 1951 I was a member of the Ringwood 2033 ATC squadron, We went on a trip to Cowes with the ATC and were transported to the IOW by RAF air sea rescue launches, we were given a tour of the Princess flying boat under construction, it was a very memorable trip for me, and a wonderful experience for a 14 year old boy and I remember them being stored there all cocooned in storage until they were broken up.
I remember the 4 inboard nacelles having 2 engines driving contra-rotating props and the outboard nacelles had one engine with a fully feathering reversible pitch prop which allowed the aircraft to be spun round on its axis on the water. I also saw this aircraft in flight, it had the most wonderful sound all of its own with the 10 engines. reply | |
| | Charlie, e-mail, 03.08.2007 05:07 The SR-45 Princess was, no doubt, a fabulous airplane.
I wonder where one can get more large pictures and draw-ings of it and of other flying boats like, for example, the fanjet powered Berievs, in a free downloadable format.
Thanks in advance for any co-operation.
Charlie
P /S: please indicate me a valid e-mail address for future contact. I'm working in a personal aeronautical divulgat-ion project. reply | | Laurie Pocock, e-mail, 17.06.2007 00:49 I remember taking the Red Funnel ferry from Southampton several times , and always looked forward to seeing the two flying boats on the ramp at Calshot. The third was pulled up on the slipway at Cowes. Several years later on a train from Southampton to Portsmouth, going along the section which runs by the River Itchen I saw the Princess for the last time, it was minus wings and looking very sad in a slipwar associated with one of the breakers yards that used to work along that part of the river. reply | | Bill Tucker, e-mail, 14.05.2007 15:09 A guy I work with used to see the two coccooned aircraft on the ramp at Calshot. does anyone have film footage of the first Princess in flight? reply |
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