Prior to and during the Second World War he was responsible for arranging the purchase of American aircraft to meet the requirements of the Royal Air Force.
[1] The son of Samuel Adolphus Theodore Self, a tram conductor,[2][3] Henry Self was born in Fulham, London, and educated at Bancroft's School, Woodford Green.
Aircraft production in the UK was nearly at maximum capacity, but additional aeroplanes could be purchased outside of the country.
Turning to the United States, which was not yet at war, Self asked if North American Aviation could produce the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk under licence.
Post war, Self became Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, replacing Sir William Hildred.