Air-Britain Archive 2001-4

THE NOBLE-HARDMAN SNOWBIRD

  Richard & Philip Noble and David Hardman were originally involved with Mike Campbell-Jones in the development of the Ladybird project (which bore fruit as the Campbell-Jones Ladybird G-MJHD in 1982) but they then decided to go their own way to concentrate on a 2-seater while the Ladybird evolved into the Microflight Spectrum. The new company Noble-Hardman Aviation Limited changed its name from Campbell-Jones (Flying Machines) Ltd on 28.4.83. The first design studies resulted in an open-cockpit single-boom model which appeared in publicity photos as "G-NHAL" but this was overtaken by the more conventional Snowbird design.
  The Snowbird was conceived as a true microlight 2-seater to provide low cost fair weather flying in cabin comfort. Speed and endurance were sacrificed for economy, with range quoted as 138 statute miles and maximum speed 75 mph. With a stalling speed of approx 34 mph, one pilot at least described the disconcerting experience of flying backwards when attempting to land into a brisk headwind!
  The design is a conventional 3-axis machine of light alloy tube with Dacron cover except for the aluminium-covered engine compartment and cabin doors. The braced wing has a twin-tube main spar and a steerable nosewheel undercarriage is fitted. The prototype was powered by a 60 hp Arrow GT500 engine but production models mostly used the 63 hp Rotax 532 although the 59 hp Hirth 2703 was available as an alternative.
  The aircraft were factory-built, mostly at Llandow, although NHAL may have used premises at Abergavenny, Crickhowell and Rhoose at various times. Sales were marketed through the Snowbird Aeroplane Company, Cowbridge, by Marcus Edwards. A French agent was also appointed, GH Aviation, Golfe-Juan 06220 and one example, now on the Irish register, has been quoted with a French c/n.
  The NHAL company was disolved on 18.4.94 and therefore probably went into liquidation some time before that.