ARV Aviation
ARV Aviation was an aircraft manufacturer set up by Richard Noble (the 1983 holder of the world land speed record in Thrust2) on the Isle of Wight to produce the ARV Super2 light aircraft.
The aircraft's name identified is as an 'Air Recreational Vehicle' and was a 2 seater, side-by-side, with a two-stroke engine. Production was based at Sandown Airport in a purpose built hanger.
Richard Noble's scheme in 1984 for an affordable small aircraft led to him bringing together Bruce Giddings as chief designer, and Nick Sibley and James Morton from John Britten's Sherriff's project, which had been abandoned by that date. Richard Noble managed to get financial backing for the ARV "from city institutions and merchant banks".[1]
The ARV Super2 was to be available either as fully built or for do-it-yourself assembly - the prices quoted in May 1986 were £21,500 and £14,700 ex VAT respectively.[2]
In the autumn of 1987 problems with the engines caused the company to cut back production and their Sales Office at Blackbush Airport, Surrey was closed at the same time.
In June 1988 Richard Noble left the company 'after a "bust-up" with the institutional investors'[3]. This coincided with ARV Aviation going into receivership with debits of £600,000. Christopher Wald, who had been brought in by Noble as Managing Director of ARV successfully bid £260,000 for the business and assets - by that time £3.5M had been invested in ARV Aviation, all of it was 'venture capital' except for a £50,000 grant from the Isle of Wight Development Board.
Thus the ARV Super2 continued under Island Aircraft Ltd. Three Super2's were displayed at the 1988 Farnborough Air Show and a good response was reported. However 16 of the 22 workers lost their jobs in December as another financial crisis hit the company as it reported a possible move off the Island to where grant aid was available.[4]
Island Aircraft Ltd was compulsorily wound up in October 1990 for the non-payment of £55,00 in respect of unpaid tax.[5]
By the time production ceased about 30 aircraft had been built at Sandown Airport.[6]
Various attempts have been made to restart production of the Super2 by companies around the world, but without connection to the Island.
