Laser Hawk

Laser Hawk is a horizontally scrolling shooter published for the Atari 8-bit family by UK-based Red Rat Software. It was created in Dunedin, New Zealand by programmer Andrew Bradfield and artist Harvey A. Kong Tin.
A sequel, "HawkQuest", also from Bradfield and Kong Tin, was released in 1989. Andrew Bradfield died in 2001 at age 35.
Development.
Work on "Laser Hawk" started in 1985 and took about a year to complete. 
"Laser Hawk" was originally called "Hot Copter" by Bradfield. Red Rat Software came up with the name "Laser Hawk."
Reception.
A review of "Laser Hawk" in the January 1987 issue of "Atari User" concluded, "While the game concept is perhaps getting a little long in the tooth, Red Rat has tweaked it nicely, treating it in a thoughtful and refreshing way. What it may lack in originality it makes up for in finesse." The overall score was 8 out of 10.
Legacy.
"Laser Hawk" was later included in the "4 Star Compilation, Volume 1" published by Red Rat, along with "Escape from Doomworld", "Domain of the Undead", and "Panic Express".
The same team created the sequel, "HawkQuest", released in 1989. Harvey Kong Tin was responsible for the overall design. Development started in 1996 with the finished game using four floppy disk sides at 90K apiece.