The Nipper was the brainchild of Ernest Oscar Tips, who worked for the British/Belgian Avions Fairey company. His idea was to make a sturdy, affordable and easy-to-fly single seater. Performance was only a second consideration, but simplicity was of high importance to the designer who envisaged both factory and amateur construction for the tiny aircraft. On December 12, 1957, the open single-seater made its first flight in the hands of Bernard Neefs, a Fairey testpilot. After certification, the Nipper entered series production in the Avions Fairey plant at Gosselies. Nippers took part in several airshows, frequently in the capable hands of Bernard Neefs who demonstrated the unexpected aerobatic qualities of the design. Although low-powered, the Nipper proved to be capable of intricate aerobatic maneuvres, unthinkable for some more prestigious designs. Unfortunately, the Avions Fairey company was heavily involved in the starting F-104G Starfighter programme for the Belgian Air Force and did not have enough resources to continue Nipper production. After 78 aircraft had been built , the production licence was sold to Cobelavia in 1962. Production rights switched hands again in 1966, when Nipper Aircraft Ltd. was formed at Castle Donnington, GB. Slingsby, the famous British sailplane company, built some 30 aircraft for Nipper Aircraft, after which only plans for amateur builders remain | 
