Country of origin:

Australia

Description:

Single-seat light sporting biplane

Power Plant:

One Henderson converted motor-cycle four-cylinder in-line liquid-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

Mr Alan William McFarlane of Coburg, VIC in 1936 purchased an incomplete Heath Parasol light aircraft, work on which had been carried out by a Mr James Keen. At about that time Mr McFarlane was the owner of the Beardmore Wee Bee (VH-URJ) having purchased it from Raymond Garrett in 1933, the latter having imported it for the Colac and Warrnambool GMH dealers, the Parker Brothers. It would appear Mr McFarlane remained the owner of the Wee Bee for many years, though very little flying was ever done with it.

In due course, after some flying of the Wee Bee, he concentrated on completing the construction of the Heath which, although normally a monoplane, had been built with the intention of making it a biplane. The aircraft when purchased by Mr McFarlane had four wings. In March 1938 the Civil Aviation Authority was advised that the aircraft was being completed as a biplane and that it would be fitted with a Clancy Brothers conversion of the Henderson four-cylinder engine.

The aircraft was of all-wood construction and, although much framework had been completed, it was uncovered and light plywood was used to strengthen the centre fuselage. The wings had two box spars used in parallel-chord wings and ailerons were installed on all wings. The fuel tank was installed in the upper centre section and contained approximately 18 litres (4 Imp gals) of fuel. The aircraft during its construction became known as the McWonder.

In June 1938 Mr McFarlane joined the RAAF as a mechanic and in 1939 he applied for pilot training, doing his early training on the Avro Cadet. He later took up duties as a co-pilot on anti-submarine patrols in the Avro Anson, eventually going on to become a Captain on RAAF B-24 Liberators with No 82 Wing, later flying Bristol Freighters, Douglas DC-3s and DC-4s with Australian National Airways. In the meantime his aircraft was placed in storage in the roof of a garage at Williamstown, VIC, eventually being offered for sale in about 1957. It was purchased by Messrs John Pott and Barry Allan who wished to complete the project. These gentlemen decided not to complete the aircraft and it was sold to Robert Caldwell who was the Department of Civil Aviation groundsman at Bacchus Marsh aerodrome, VIC. He sold it to Thomas Mulcahy who resided near Beaufort, VIC in about 1963. The Henderson engine was eventually sold for use in a swamp boat.

In 1984 the aircraft came into the hands of the Eureka Aircraft Museum at Ballarat, VIC where it was placed on display and remains there. At this time it was thought to be a Gere Biplane but examination revealed it was a Heath Parasol variant.