Nicholas Comper was born in
Lambeth, London, England, the son of church architect Sir
John Ninian Comper. After leaving
Dulwich College, he joined the
Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco) as an apprentice. He left the company in 1915 to join the
Royal Flying Corps, and was trained to fly at
Castle Bromwich Aerodrome. He joined
No. 9 Squadron RFC, and was posted to Morlancourt in France, flying
B.E.2c aircraft on reconnaissance missions. After
World War I, Comper stayed in what was then the
Royal Air Force, and in 1920 he studied aerodynamics at
Jesus College, Cambridge. He spent time with
RAE Farnborough, and in October 1922 he was posted to
RAF Cranwell to train engineering officers. One of his pupils was
Frank Whittle, the jet engine pioneer. In late 1926 he was posted to the
Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (MAEE)
Felixstowe to work on flying boats and seaplanes. In March 1929, having reached the rank of
Flight Lieutenant, he resigned his commission to pursue aircraft design ambitions. ==Civilian life==