The Princess Margaret Mk III

1. In May 1979 the newly stretched Mk III craft entered the Pool of London on a publicity visit (BHC)	2. Spectators on the Prince of Wales Pier watch The Princess Margaret in Seaspeed livery approaching the new Dover pad	3. Unloading cars through the rear doors of the Mk III at Dover, often accomplished in two minutes (BHC)	4. The craft, now in Hoverspeed livery, unloads on arrival at Calais (Postcard)
5. Passing Dover's white cliffs, the craft departs for France (Hoverspeed)	6. The Princess Margaret Mk III arriving on the beach at the Calais Hoverport (Postcard)	7. A very rare publicity shot of the two Mk III craft passing each other in the Channel. They normally maintain a greater separation than this ! (Hoverspeed)	8. Another publicity shot showing the craft approaching the camera (Hoverspeed)
9. The Princess Margaret Mk III passes one of the SR.N4 Mk II craft in the Channel (Hoverspeed)	10. The Princess Margaret heading for France on a clear day (Hoverspeed)	11. Approaching the camera in mid-Channel on a calm crossing (Hoverspeed)	12. The two Mk III craft undergoing refurbishment on the Dover pad in Winter 1992
13. Arriving from Dover on the Calais pad in 1992	14. A trip to the Goodwin Sands in 1993 allowed the cabin crew to indulge in a little light entertainment ! (Postcard)	15. A view of the craft at Dover taken during her winter 1994 refurbishment	16. The 1996 trip to the Goodwin Sands allowed this excellent shot to be taken (Postcard)
17. As the engines are started, it is possible to make out the flare of ignition from each of the engines in turn	18. The craft is unloaded after arrival at Calais in 1996	19. Unloading baggage trolleys from the car deck at Calais	20. Now ready for new passengers, we are marshalled forward for loading on the car deck
21. Late February 1998 and The Princess Margaret maintains services while her sister is being refurbished	22. A tractor is driven aboard to unload the luggage and mail carts from the car deck as cars are driven off at the rear	23. Not only has she seen a minor livery change, but two windows in her crew compartment have been blanked off to shield the Navigator's radar screens from unwanted glare	24. A view of the skirt of the craft while at rest. The material is surprisingly thin and flexible (I lifted a section fairly easily with one hand)
25. The crew busy themselves during turnaround prior to the 11.30am departure for Calais on a wet February day. This shot was put together from 2 of my photos	26. Passengers disembark from the starboard main door as cleaners go aboard to ready the craft within about 10 minutes	27. Loading again - this time on the port side	28. Taken from the Prince of Wales Pier, The Princess Margaret is prepared for another departure
29. Taken in March 1998, The Princess Margaret is still alone in service to Calais	30. Having been loaded, the steps are removed and wheeled away as the last cars board the bow ramp	31. Warming up for an early afternoon departure in March 1998, the skirt is starting to inflate in this shot	32. The Princess Margaret landing at Dover in early June 1998
33. The craft is eased forward to her position...	34. ...and she settles down on her feet on the underside of the hull	35. The ramp and doors are opened immediately...	36. ...and the toe flap is dropped...
37. ...ready to accept the next load of vehicles	38. On the car deck, the watch cabin is clearly visible as cars are loaded and lashed down	39. As is the ladder leading to the flight deck	40. On 5th June, I was lucky enough to be allowed to travel on the flight deck of The Princess Margaret.( I'd like to express my thanks to the crew on this flight who were lead by Captain Nick Dunn)
41. The First Officer (Navigator's) position with it's new (and larger) radar equipment fit	42. A montage showing the craft at Calais before the 6.00pm departure to Dover on 5th June