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.