Made in 1976, the Hi-Fli was offered during the first three months of ’76 at a special price of £269.00 (£289.00 for the deluxe model). The only concession made to modern trends is the inclusion of two small battens near the tips.

By March 1976 the Hi-Fli was relaunched as Hi-Fli 1B and aimed at the intermediate to advanced pilot. It can be flown prone, supine or seated and is claimed to have a 7:1 + glide angle. It features double surface leading edges and an aerofoil shaped keel. The price was £311.00 inc VAT.

The 1976 Hi-Fli 2 is for the beginner to intermediate pilot and claims a reasonable glide angle. It was supplied in three sizes for varying pilot weights and has good roll control through expert use of battens. Pitch stability is provided by a relatively long keel. The Hi Fli 2 had a L/D of 6.3:1, and was priced at £ 336.00 inc VAT.

Both of the Hi-Fli Models were available in deluxe versions.

Made in 1975, the King Kite was advertised in three sizes: 20-18, 19-17, 18-16.

Made in 1975, the Customkite was available with wing-nuts and safety cross-pins, thus making it possible to rig and de-rig without tools whilst still retaining aircraft approved methods. The Custom kite series was advertised to include the following variants: Butterfly, Firefly, Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus, Nimbus, each of these in two sizes (+6, presumably six inches longer leading edge).

A 1979 hang glider.

The Bleidiesel Pacific Gull was a 1976 hang glider.

Made in 1974 the Albatross was the second production glider for the Birdman company. During 1975 Birdman acquired the U.K. dealership for Ultralight Products of California. The UP Dragonfly was imported and proved to be of superior performance to the Hawk and Albatross. As an interim measure updating kits of prone A frames and deflexers were produced. The high performance conversion for the Hawk reduced the sail billow to nearer 3 deg.

Made in 1974, the Hawk glider is an update from the early Grass Hopper.

This Birdman became a major player in the hang glider market.

An all white Hawk was flown by Dave Raymond for the film ‘Tommy’.

Leading Edge 17 ft 2 in
Keel 17 ft 5 in
Span 23 ft
Nose angle 90 deg

Made in 1973, the Grasshopper was the first of the Birdman line. It is a standard Rogallo (class A).

In November 1976 Birdman announced that their latest glider, the Moonraker was now in production and at an introductory price of £ 375.00 + VAT. The sail is made in 3.8 oz Howe and Bainbridge Dacron and features an aerofoil shaped centre pocket.

A Moonraker was the first hang glider to cross the British Channel, in the late seventies (after a balloon launch).

Made in 1977, the Moonraker 77 was a high performance glider suitable for more experienced pilots. Very light to control with a wide speed range. The Moonraker 77 was without the truncated tips, plus triple deflexor instead of one.

The Moonraker 77 was the winner of several speed and speed range tests in the 1977 British League. Priced at £440.00 ex VAT, it has a very ‘clean’ sail even at maximum speed.

The Moonraker 78 was for experienced pilots with cross country flying in mind for the 1978 thermal season. The glider has diffused fixed tips, a deep subventral fin and fully battened sail.

The Moonraker 78 air frame is in 2 inch O.D. x 18 G tube. The sail is 3.8 oz Howe and Bainbridge dacron and can be supplied to customer’s colour choice. Two sizes were available: 175 sq ft and 210 sq ft.

Moonraker
Sail area 190 sq ft
Nose angle 108 deg
Leading edge 20 ft
Span 32 ft
Aspect ratio 5.38
Billow 0.5 deg

Moonraker 77
Leading edge: 20 ft
Nose angle: 108 deg
Wingspan: 32 ft
Sail area: 190 sq ft
Aspect ratio: 5.38
Billow: 0.5 deg
Root chord: 10 ft,
L/D: 8:1
Min. sink: 200 fpm.

Moonraker 78 175
Nose angle: 130 deg
Aspect ratio: 7
Span: 35 ft
Root chord: 7 ft