Here's another testimonial for a Nova, this fellow
mentions replacing
them with 28V/0.04A bulbs, but doesn't say how he knows those specs:
http://www.foxdata.com/blog/?tag=nova-312
The Hudson 2187D type he mentions maps to Chicago CM-2187, listed at
Mouser:
http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Chicago-Miniature/2187/?
qs=qp111mKzDjgelZXllf1Wrw==
And a datasheet listing:
http://ca.mouser.com/catalog/catalogcad/646/131.pdf
The datasheet is interesting as you can see how the lifetime and the
light output (MSCP) tend to have an inverse relation on different
lamp types with the same V/A specs. It may be if you select a type
with too long a lifetime and then run it under-voltage to further
extend the life it may end up being quite dim.