or any new large flying boat. The airline had already elected to terminate its existing flying boat services during 1950. In late 1951, it was announced that construction of the three Princesses would proceed with the intention of using them as transport aircraft in RAF service. However, in March 1952, it was announced that while the first prototype would be completed, the second and third would be suspended to await more powerful engines. Flight testing On 22 August 1952, the prototype, G-ALUN, conducted its maiden flight, piloted by Geoffrey Tyson. The initial flight lasted for 35 minutes, in which the flying boat performed a complete circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight. According to aviation author Phillip Kaplan, the Princess had not been intended to fly that day at all and only taxiing tests had been scheduled to take place, and that Tyson had decided to proceed due to the excellent conditions present on the day. The prototype was quickly put through several test flights with the hope of being able to sufficiently ready the flying boat to appear at the 1952 Farnborough Airshow, however indications of engine reliability issues were encountered and this led to the intended flight display at Farnborough that year being abandoned. As further testing of the prototype continued, the reliability of the engines and gearboxes continued to be problematic, but not to the extent that flight testing was prevented. Evaluation of the flying boat continued into 1953, during which particular attention was devoted towards addressing the difficulties uncovered. During the 1953 Farnborough Airshow, the prototype was displayed. Flight tests of the prototype continued up until 27 May 1954, by which point it had been found that the Proteus engine, once perfected, would be capable of enabling the type to achieve its envisioned performance figures. G-ALUN was the only model to fly, performing 46 test flights in total during which 100 hours flight hours were accumulated. Princess Air Transport Co Ltd was formed with the object of studying the factors affecting the operation of the Princess flying boats and to tender for their operation should the opportunity have arisen. The company's directors were M D N Wyatt (chairman), Sir Archibald Philip Hope, 17th Baronet, Geoffrey Tyson, P D Irons and Capt H W C Alger (general manager). 75 per cent of the share capital were held by Saunders-Roe Ltd and the balance by Airwork Ltd. Termination of