Ford, Selby Avon

Selby Ford was an engineer-in- charge of the Beverley Electric Supply powerhouse. He was born in 1901 in Perth, and commenced work at the powerhouse owned and operated by his father, soon after leaving school, and after his father's death, he took over the role completely. His aviation interests were inspired by a joyflight in a biplane in 1919 piloted by West Australian aviation pioneer Major Norman Brearley. Nine years later he decided he would build his own aeroplane. With his only knowledge of aerodynamics and aircraft design gained from reading aircraft publications, Ford developed his design concept from photographs of other aircraft. He started the project - a two seat biplane - with rough chalk plans on the powerhouse floor on 24 May 1928.