Edward Bavard Heath founded the E.B. Heath Aerial Vehicle Company in 1913. The company started like many others, with a basic idea, perseverance, long hours, ingenuity, enthusiasm – and a lack of capital. At the time, flying was a costly hobby, and only the well-to-do could afford to take an active interest. Ed Heath knew that he needed to bring down the cost of flying if his business were to succeed. At the end of World War I, he introduced ‘The Feather’, a single-seat airplane with a 20-foot span, weighing 270 pounds, powered with a 7 hp Thor motorcycle engine that hauled it through the sky at the rate of 45 mph. He was ready to market this little plane when the government released a huge volume of surplus planes and engines. He shelved the promotion of The Feather and became a dealer in surplus planes and engines. Renamed the Heath Airplane Company, Heath founded a flying school, reasoning that it was foolish to sell planes to people who would have had to go someplace else to learn to fly them.

In 1925 Heath and Claire Linstead – a designer he employed – designed and constructed ‘The Tomboy’. It was a single-seat, full cantilever monoplane with a span of about 22 feet. It was built around a 32 hp Bristol Cherub engine and its speed was 103 mph. Heath used it to win the light plane events at the National Air Races in Philadelphia in 1926. The purse for winning was $2,500, which Heath and Linstead used as capital to build the first Heath Parasol. The Parasol was a single-seat, highwing, monoplane with a span of 26 feet. It was built around a 27 hp Henderson motorcycle engine. The designers improvised somewhat: the wing was contrived of two lower wings of a Thomas-Morse Scout biplane, braced with steel tubing and cables. The following year they constructed another version of the Parasol. This plane was cleaner. It had a 24-foot span and was powered with a Cherub. He called it the Spokane Super Parasol and proceeded to enter it in the light and sport plane events at the National Air Races in Spokane.

The purse was $1,000. This event marked a turning point; Heath had found his light plane market and he used every kind of bait possible to push the sale of his Parasols. A full Heath Parasol kit was available to purchase for $975. The kit was also available without an engine for $690 and could be purchased in installments.  The blueprints – without any parts – were available for $5 for those willing to supply their own materials. The Heath Parasol created an entirely new group of airplane owners. Thousands were built in barns, garages and cellars. Some were assembled in rooming houses, others in deserted theatres and one in a church. The only tools necessary to assemble a kit included a pair of small pliers, screwdriver, hacksaw (with plenty of blades), hammer, small hand drill, chisel, centre punch and file. The Heath was a well-designed. compact monoplane with exceptionally clean lines. It was sturdy, stable and flew easily. Heath’s firm prospered and won an international reputation.

Approximately 20,000 aircraft were built, with 24 of the planes registered in Canada. Check out this video of open cockpit flight in a Heath Parasol at the 2008 Oshkosh air show.Error 404: /History%201918.htm is not found at this location Monday, 13-Feb-17 18:00:59 GMT for more pics and information about the sale.KBC Motorcycle CollectionCirca 1925 Ace for sale. See AllKBC Motorcycle CollectionThe relatives and friends of Kevin are invited to attend his funeral service to be held at the Northcliffe Chapel of Hansen and Cole, 634 Northcliffe Drive, Kembla Grange on Monday 19th October at 2pm.motorcycle helmets with devil hornsKBC Motorcycle CollectionAfter a long illness, Kevin passed away quietly in his sleep yesterday morning surrounded by his family.motorbike shop in mordenKBC Motorcycle CollectionMixed Henderson parts now in eBayKBC Motorcycle Collection added 2 new photos.givi motorcycle top box india

A huge number of rare carbs - mainly scheblers - for early American bikes. Includes spare parts like floats, chokes and jets. All on eBay now.Best offer over AU $20k by deadline.KBC Motorcycle CollectionLarge collection of vintage Harley Davidson parts and a couple of Indian pieces thrown in (incl. Hedstrom and power plus wheels) on eBay nowKBC Motorcycle Collection1921-23 Henderson Deluxe engine going up onto ebay tonight (AEST).Preview and more images are on the kbcmotorcycles website.KBC Motorcycle CollectionApparently the manifold shown in this drawing of a G model Henderson engine was never actually produced despite appearing in the promotional literature. It was scrapped at the drawing board. We have a G model (1917) up for auction at the moment. See the website for details.KBC Motorcycle Collection added 13 new photos.Lots of lovely things coming onto ebay and a garage sale planned for the 14th March.KBC Motorcycle Collection shared a photo.Love this photo and a reminder that our KJ blind auction is happening now.

/permalink.php…toMotorcycles 1867-1930Henderson KJ, I really like the streamlined 29-31 Henderson and Super X.I actually really like all Hendersons and Excelsiors.KBC Motorcycle CollectionThis KJ Henderson Streamline project bike is currently open to offers. The deadline on offers is on November 23rd, 2014. KBC Motorcycle CollectionJust found this chap and looks like its a 1938 Royal Enfield S2KBC Motorcycle Collection added 3 new photos.1926 and 1928 Harley Davidson OHV singles - looking good as a coupleKBC Motorcycle CollectionSo this is a vintage Harley Davidson sometimes known as a 'Peashooter'. Made in 1928 as a speedy production bike. It's a 350cc, OHV, single cylinder gorgeous thing. Dad had done all the hard work finding the right parts and restoring them. We just pulled them together for the photo! More pics on the website.KBC Motorcycle CollectionThe Dusting sidecar goes up on ebay on the 18th of this month at 4pm AEST. Viewing available at the Australian Motorlife museum on Saturday the 27th and the ebay auction ends 4pm on the 28th.