The Hatfield Little Bird aircraft are a continuation of the Arup series of low aspect ratio aircraft.
In the late 1920s, Cloyd Snyder of South Bend, Indiana, developed a series of "Heel Lift" low aspect ratio aircraft inspired by the gliding properties of felt heel inserts. South Bend native, Milt Hatfield had built a homebuilt aircraft at the same time. Seeking flying lessons while grounded by his father, he donated parts of his aircraft to the Arup S-2 project in exchange for flying lessons. Years later, Hatfield taught the buyer of the S-2 how to fly the plane, and salvaged parts from his own plane to keep it going. After Arup Manufacturing Corporation went out of business, Hatfield promised Snyder he would make one of his own.[1]
All three Little Bird aircraft were bought by one owner and are awaiting restoration.[2]