The prototype was built by the Luton Aircraft Limited, and design plans were later adapted and copies sold for homebuilding.

The L.A.3 Minor ultralight was powered by a 35 hp Anzani inverted-vee air-cooled engine, and was of spruce, ply and fabric construction.

The first L.A.4 Minor was built at the company's new factory (the Phoenix Works) at Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire.

Ord-Hume created a new company in March 1958 to take over the design rights for the Luton Minor.

Latimer-Needham updated the design to take more modern lightweight four-cylinder engines and an increased all-up weight.