Guide to the Records of the Air Ministry (as filmed by the AJCP)
AIR
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2018
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Air Ministry, Great Britain
- Title
- Records of the Air Ministry (as filmed by the AJCP)
- Date Range
- December 1911 - May 1955
- Collection Number
- AIR
- Extent
- 456 items
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Australian Joint Copying Project
- Sponsor
- The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) online portal was created with the assistance of the Australian Public Service Modernisation Fund, 2017-2020. The National Library of Australia gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the other foundation AJCP partners, the State Library of New South Wales and The National Archives of the UK, and all other organisations which supported the work of the AJCP, the world's most extensive collaborative copying project, operating from 1948 to 1997.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Records created or inherited by the Air Ministry, the Royal Air Force, and related bodies.
Select records copied by AJCP from the following groups: Air Boards and Air Ministry; Chief of Air Staff and the Air Historical Branch.
Conditions Governing Access
Available for access.
Conditions Governing Use
Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the National Archives of the UK. Further advice is available from: http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/legal/copyright/
Preferred Citation
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material (The National Archives of the UK) and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.
Citation of items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material at the National Archives of the UK and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
Example: TNA Series: CO 201/429, New South Wales. Original Correspondence. Despatches May-June 1850 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
Further information on citation guidelines is available at The National Archives of the UK (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/citing-documents-national-archives/).
Archival History
Material selectively filmed as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP Reels: Air Historical Branch: 6877-6884 + 6799; Air Boards and Air Ministry: 6819-6838, Chief of Air Staff: 6786-6793 + 6799 + 6939).
Original microfilm digitised as part of the AJCP Online Delivery Project, 2017-2020.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: AIR.
For further information see Records created or inherited by the Air Ministry, the Royal Air Force and related bodies. The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C8)
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Finding Aid Note
Dates used in this finding aid refer to those of the records selected for filming rather than to those of the original Series or File.
This online finding aid, published by the National Library of Australia in 2018, is a revised online version of the original paper handbooks:
Australian Joint Copying Project Handbook. Part 6. Public Record Office: Air Ministry, Board of Trade, Exchequer and Audit Department, Treaury and othe Record Groups, Second Edition, ppxi,1-8, National Library of Australia, 1995.
Advisory Statement
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this Finding Aid contains material and descriptive information which may be considered culturally sensitive and may cause distress, including names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now deceased. This Finding Aid contains terms that reflect authors' views or those of the historical period, but which may not be considered appropriate today. While the information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided in an historical context.
Subjects
Great Britain: Air Ministry; Aerial postal service; Aircraft Production (Australia); Aircraft Production (Australia); Australian Aircraft Factory; Awards for Australian Air Operations; Batten, Jean; British Commonwealth Air Training Plan; British Commonwealth Air Training Plan; Dominion Air Training Scheme; Great Britain: Ministry of Air; Military Awards; New Zealand; New Zealand Air Force; Pacific; Royal Australian Air Force; Royal Australian Air Force; Royal New Zealand Air Force; Smith, Ross. Captain; World War II (1939-1945); World War II (1939-1945)
Bibliography
This revised finding aid was originally published as:
Australian Joint Copying Project. Handbook Part 6. Public Record Office: Air Ministry, Board of Trade, Exchequer and Audit Department, Treaury and othe Record Groups, Second Edition, ppxi,1-8, National Library of Australia, 1995.
Administrative History
The Air Ministry was set up in January 1918 to administer the Royal Air Force. It was headed by the Secretary of State for Air who was advised by the Air Council. From 1919 to 1945 the Ministry was also responsible for regulating civil aviation and from 1920 to 1940 it was responsible for aircraft production. The Ministry was absorbed into the Ministry of Defence in 1964.
Copying by the AJCP centred on three record groups:
The Air Historical Branch
Set up after World War I to collect arrange and index records of the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Air Force and the Air Ministry.
The Air Boards and Air Ministry
In February 1916 a Joint War Air Committee was appointed to co-ordinate the design and procurement activities of the the separate air services of the Admiralty and the War Office. In May 1916 it was superseded by an Air Board.
Following the New Ministries and Secretaries Act 1916 the Air Board was reconstituted as a ministry in January 1917. Its president was deemed to be a minister and it was given responsibility for aircraft design, requirements, and allocation. At the same time the Ministry of Munitions took over from the service departments responsibility for the supply and inspection of aeroplanes, seaplanes, engines, and accessories.
The Air Board was dissolved in January 1918 following the creation of an Air Ministry. Its function in regard to aircraft design, programme and policy passed to the Ministry of Munitions.
The Air Ministry was a department of the Government of the UK with responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, 1918-1964. It was under the political authority of the Secretary of State for Air.
The Chief of Air Staff.
The professional head of the Royal Air Force, who is resonsible for RAF policy, the conduct of air operations, the fighting efficience of the RAF, RAF communications and other matters.
Item Descriptions
Series AIR 1. Air Historical Branch: Records (Series I), August 1913 - March 1931
58 itemsItems copied by the AJCP relate to Australian involvement in World War I (1914-1918) including: records relating to the Australian Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service, combat reports, Squadron record books, reconnaisance reports, operations reports, essays written at RAf Staff college, Andover relating to the war experiences of selected sevicemen.
Selected items only have been copied from all pieces. Pieces 2252-2262 and 2264-2265 were not filmed as they mainly comprise copies of war diaries of Australian squadrons, copies of all of which are held by the Australian War Memorial
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: AIR 1. For further information, see AIR 1 at The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2056)
Subjects
Australian Flying Corps; Royal Naval Air Serivice; Gallipoli; No. 1 Squandron, Australian Flying Corps; No. 2 Squandron, Australian Flying Corps; No. 4 Squandron, Australian Flying Corps; No. 67 Squandron, Australian Flying Corps; No. 68 Squandron, Australian Flying Corps; No. 69 Squandron, Australian Flying Corps; No. 71 Squandron, Australian Flying Corps; 5th Wing Royal Flying Corps; 10th Wing Royal Flying Corps; 51st Wing Royal Flying Corps; 80th Wing Royal Flying Corps; World War I (1914-1918; Aerial Operations
Subseries. Miscellaneous, June 1917 - January 1919
11 items
Record of casualties: Australian pilots and observers, June 1917 - November 1918 (File 970/204/5/1103. AJCP Reel No: 6877)
Australian Flying Corps in France, July 1917 - October 1918 (File 1044/204/5/1506. AJCP Reel No: 6877)
Return of aeroplanes and engines taken on and struck off charge of Australian Flying Corps squadrons, September 1917 - December 1917 (File 1073/204/5/1651. AJCP Reel No: 6877)
Correspondence concerning Australian Flying Corps, August 1917 - February 1918 (File 1142/204/5/2339. AJCP Reel No: 6878)
Australian Flying Corps: correspondence concerning aeroplanes and engines, January 1918 - January 1919 (File 1142/204/5/2340. AJCP Reel No: 6878)
Notes on recent fighting: attack carried out by Australian Flying Corps near Hamel, July 1918 (File 1159/204/5/2458. AJCP Reel No: 6878)
Combat reports: No. 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, February 1918 - November 1918 (File 1216/204/5/2634/2AFC. AJCP Reel No: 6878)
Combat reports: No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, January 1918 - August 1918 (File 1216/204/5/2634/3AFC. AJCP Reel No: 6878)
Combat reports: No. 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, January 1918 - November 1918 (File 1217/204/5/2634/4AFC. AJCP Reel No: 6878)
Subseries. 10 Wing RFC, February 1918 - April 1918
3 itemsSubseries. 80 Wing RAF, June 1918 - January 1919
4 itemsSubseries. Egyptian Expeditionary Force Military GS Files
5 itemsSubseries. Middle East Brigade RFC/RAF
3 itemsSubseries. Essays written at RAF Staff College, Andover
10 items
War experiences of Squadron Leader T. Howe, including landing of Australians at Gallipoli, April 1915, September 1924 (File 2387 Pt 1/228/11/44. AJCP Reel No: 6883)
War experiences of Squadron Leader R.S. Brown of Australian Flying Corps, September 1924 (File 2387 Pt 2/228/11/54. AJCP Reel No: 6883)
War experiences of Wing Commander S.J. Goble, RAAF, September 1925 (File 2388/228/11/68. AJCP Reel No: 6883)
War experiences of Flight Lieutenant W.H. Park, including service with 4th New Zealand Mounted Rifles at Gallipoli and Palestine, September 1925 (File 2388/228/11/77. AJCP Reel No: 6883)
War experiences of Flight Lieutenant J.R. Bell, No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, including Gallipoli and France, September 1925 (File 2388/228/11/78. AJCP Reel No: 6883)
War experiences of Flight Lieutenant W. Bostock, including service in 1916 with Anzac Mounted Division, September 1926 (File 2389/228/11/96. AJCP Reel No: 6883)
War experiences of Squadron Leader W.H. Anderson, No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, and description of air search for schooner lost between Hobart and Newcastle in 1920, [1926] (File 2389/228/11/101. AJCP Reel No: 6883)
War experiences of Squadron Leader H.I. Hanmer, including service in 1916 with No. 67 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, December 1928 (File 2389/228/11/118. AJCP Reel No: 6883)
Series AIR 2. Air Boards and Air Ministry: Registered Files, 1918 - 1958
121 itemsCorrespondence of the Air Ministry. Records selected for copying by the AJCP include correspondence relating to the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force; Dominion defence; the Empire Air Training Scheme; record flights and air races; Far East defence policy, 1940-1941; awards for Dominion air operations and personnel, 1943-1948; aircraft production in Australia, 1948-1951 and cooperation with Dominions on post-war Air Force policy.
Selected items only have been copied from pieces 83-344.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA). Series Reference: AIR 2. For further information, see AIR 2 at The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2057)
Subjects
Great Britain: Air Boards and Air Ministry; Aerial postal service; Aircraft Production (Australia); Australian Aircraft Factory; Awards for Australian Air Operations; Batten, Jean; British Commonwealth Air Training Plan; Military Awards; New Zealand Air Force; Royal Australian Air Force; Smith, Ross. Captain; World War II (1939-1945)
Subseries. Code A sequence 1 (files registered 1897-1930), 1918 - 1929
13 items
New Zealand: suggested aerial postal service after the War, 1918 (File 83/B 4894. AJCP Reel No: 6819)
Aerial defence scheme for New Zealand by Colonel A.V. Bettington, CMG, RAF, 1919 (File 114/A 32030. AJCP Reel No: 6819)
Decoration to Captain Ross Smith and crew for accomplishing first flight to Australia, 1919 - 1920 (File 119/A 45755. AJCP Reel No: 6819)
Procedure for commissioning New Zealand cadets and correspondence re cadets, 1918 - 1920 (File 197/ C 249. AJCP Reel No: 6819)
Application for grant of title 'Royal' to Australian Air Forces, 1921 (File 208/124899/21. AJCP Reel No: 6819)
Permission to use RAF Ensign granted to Royal Australian and Royal Canadian Air Forces, 1921 - 1922 (File 211/252056/21. AJCP Reel No: 6819)
RAF Ensign and RAF distinguishing flags adopted by Australian Air Force, 1922 (File 211/373820/22. AJCP Reel No: 6819)
Memorandum on proposed flight to South Africa and Australia by HM airships R100 and R101, 1927 (File 303/520773/27. AJCP Reel No: 6819)
Subseries. Code B sequence (files registered 1936-1953), 1920 - 1958
107 items
Jean Batten: suggested award of an honour in recognition of record flight, 1936 (File 1727. AJCP Reel No: 6820)
Royal Australian Air Force: estimated aircraft requirements from UK, 1936 (File 1791. AJCP Reel No: 6820)
Australian Aircraft Factory: type of service aircraft to be manufactured, 1936 - 1939 (File 1893. AJCP Reel No: 6821)
1937 Imperial Conference: preparation of papers by Air Staff, 1936 - 1937 (File 1898. AJCP Reel No: 6821)
Australian Aircraft Factory: proposed construction of British type of training aircraft, 1937 - 1939 (File 2070. AJCP Reel No: 6821)
Australian cooperation in the defence of the Far East: policy, 1937 - 1939 (File 2199. AJCP Reel No: 6821)
Substitution of Beauforts for present order of Wellingtons for New Zealand, 1939 (File 3019. AJCP Reel No: 6821)
Empire Air Training: Lord Riverdale's report and Empire agreement, 1939 - 1947 (File 3160. AJCP Reel No: 6822)
Proposals for intergovernmental discussions under Article 15 of Empire Air Training Scheme, 1939 - 1942 (File 3170. AJCP Reel No: 6823)
Short service commissions: proposed change in method of selection of Dominion candidates, 1934 - 1939 (File 3279. AJCP Reel No: 6823)
World non-stop record flight, Egypt to Australia 1938: press arrangements, 1938 - 1939 (File 3489. AJCP Reel No: 6824)
Collection of meteorological data during the War correspondence with Dominions Office, 1939 - 1940 (File 3661. AJCP Reel No: 6824)
Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons: affiliation with squadrons of Dominions, 1938 - 1940 (File 3818. AJCP Reel No: 6824)
Dominion candidates for short service commissions in RAF: proposed action for expediting entry, 1938 - 1939 (File 3907. AJCP Reel No: 6824)
Awards to RAF personnel in connection with 1938 long-distance flight from Egypt to Australia, 1939 (File 4022. AJCP Reel No: 6825)
Nominations by Dominions of candidates for permanent commissions in RAF, 1920 - 1941 (File 4258. AJCP Reel No: 6825)
Nominations by Dominions of candidates for permanent commissions in RAF, 1935 - 1938 (File 4259. AJCP Reel No: 6825)
Nominations by Dominions of candidates for permanent commissions in RAF, 1920 - 1934 (File 4260. AJCP Reel No: 6825)
RAF squadrons serving in Australia: disciplinary position, 1942 - 1945 (File 4842. AJCP Reel No: 6826)
Recommendations for awards received from India and south west Pacific, 1942 - 1948 (File 4843. AJCP Reel No: 6826)
Proposal to train Indians in Canada, Australia and New Zealand under Empire Air Training Scheme, 1941 - 1946 (File 5269. AJCP Reel No: 6827)
Request from Commonwealth governments to be consulted when Dominion squadrons move to new theatre of war, 1941 (File 5354. AJCP Reel No: 6827)
Internationalisation of civil aviation: replies from Dominions, 1943 (File 5515. AJCP Reel No: 6827)
Airfield facilities for USA in British or Dominion territory in western Pacific, 1943 - 1944 (File 5561. AJCP Reel No: 6827)
Relations of civil aviation to Commonwealth defence requirements: plans for international agreement, 1944 (File 5632. AJCP Reel No: 6828)
Morotai Island, south west Pacific: report on operations, 1944 - 1945 (File 5711. AJCP Reel No: 6828)
Manufacture of aircraft in Canada and Australia after the War, 1945 - 1946 (File 5768. AJCP Reel No: 6828)
Visit by Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith Park to Australia and New Zealand, 1946 (File 5943. AJCP Reel No: 6828)
Empire Air Training Scheme: records of Australian officers, 1940 - 1943 (File 6219. AJCP Reel No: 6828)
Provision of information from UK records to accredited Dominion historians, 1944 - 1949 (File 7890. AJCP Reel No: 6829)
Despatch by General Sir Archibald P. Wavell on operations in south west Pacific, February 1942 (File 7911. AJCP Reel No: 6829)
Empire Air Training Scheme: Ottawa Air Training Conference, May 1942 (File 8181. AJCP Reel No: 6830)
Empire Air Mail route, Singapore-Sydney: report by Managing Director, Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, 1938 - 1939 (File 8703. AJCP Reel No: 6830)
Non-immediate awards: Middle East Command and Dominion personnel, 1943 - 1945 (File 8940. AJCP Reel No: 6832)
Awards to Allied air force personnel: recommendations by Dominion governments, 1943 - 1948 (File 8980. AJCP Reel No: 6832)
USA awards to personnel of Dominion air forces notified by Governors-General, 1943 - 1948 (File 8985. AJCP Reel No: 6833)
Grant of short service commissions to Royal New Zealand Air Force trained officers under Dominion Cooperation Scheme, 1938 (File 9390. AJCP Reel No: 6833)
Conditions of transfer to RAAF of RAF short service and medium service commissioned officers ex RAAF trained cadet scheme, 1940 - 1947 (File 9405. AJCP Reel No: 6834)
Recommendation for awards of AFC and AFM to personnel of Dominion air forces, 1939 - 1941 (File 9415. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
Interchange of RAF officers with officers of RAAF: wartime arrangements, 1940 - 1946 (File 9435. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
Visiting Forces (British Commonwealth) Act: application to colonies, 1940 (File 9437. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
Arrangements for exchange of air commodores between RAF and RAAF, 1941 - 1946 (File 9554. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
Disbandment of No. 45 Group: Atlantic and Pacific air services, 1945 - 1946 (File 9654. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
Collection and custody of museum material: Dominion and Allied air forces, 1942 - 1953 (File 10182. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
Flight around Australia by Wing Commander S.J. Goble and Flight Lieutenant I. McIntyre, RAAF: awards of OBE in recognition, 1924 (File 10194. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
Appointment of RAAF cadets to short service commissions in RAF, 1930 - 1931 (File 10208. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
Official residence of UK Service Air Liaison Officer, Melbourne: works services policy, 1946 - 1958 (File 10304. AJCP Reel No: 6835)
American search and rescue. Pacific: reports by Wing Commander Bicknell, 1945 - 1950 (File 10333. AJCP Reel No: 6836)
Recruitment of Dominion candidates for training as flying personnel, 1948 - 1950 (File 10396. AJCP Reel No: 6836)
Production and design of aircraft and aircraft equipment in Commonwealth, 1948 - 1951 (File 10588. AJCP Reel No: 6836)
Cooperation with Dominions on post-war air force policy, 1945 - 1946 (File 10836. AJCP Reel No: 6837)
Cooperation with Dominions on post-war air force policy, 1946 - 1947 (File 10837. AJCP Reel No: 6837)
Supply of arms, equipment and aircraft to Commonwealth countries, 1949 - 1952 (File 10951. AJCP Reel No: 6837)
Enlistment in RAF of New Zealand personnel domiciled in UK on outbreak of hostilities, 1951 - 1955 (File 11528. AJCP Reel No: 6837)
Proposed affiliation between RAF Central Flying School and Royal New Zealand Air Force Central Flying School, 1955 - 1957 (File 11621. AJCP Reel No: 6838)
England to New Zealand air race 1953: organisation aspects, 1952 - 1953 (File 11818. AJCP Reel No: 6838)
Series AIR 5. Air Historical Branch. Papers. Series II, 1923 - 1929
42 itemsA continuation of the records in the AIR 1 series, consisting mainly of files, folders and volumes opened between 1921 and 1930. Included in this series are papers collected for use in the official history of the department and which otherwise would have been in AIR 2, but which were kept separate by the Historical Branch of the Air Ministry and were placed in this series.
Items selected for copying by the AJCP include papers about coordination of training of R.A.F. and Dominion Air Forces, 1923-1924; report of Sir John Salmond on Royal Australian Air Force, 1928-1929; airship missions to the Dominions, 1926-1927.
All files have been filmed in full.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: AIR 5. For further information, see AIR 5 at The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2060)
Subjects
Great Britain: Air Ministry; Airships; Domonions Air Force; Royal Australian Air Force; Salmond, Sir John
Series AIR 8. Chief of the Air Staff: Registered Files, 1939 - 1953
39 itemsRecords of the Chief of Air Staff, the professional head of the Royal Air Force, who is responsible for RAF policy, the conduct of air operations, the fighting efficience of the RAF, RAF communications and other matters.
Items slected for copying by the AJCP include papers about Dominion Air Training Scheme, supply of aircraft to Australia and New Zealand in wartime, orders of battle, air support for operations in the Pacific and the expansion of the R.A.A.F. and R.N.Z.A.F.during and after the war, air route changes, and Commonwealth cooperation in defence, 1944-1950.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: AIR 8. For further information, see AIR 8 at The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2063)
Subjects
Great Britain: Ministry of Air; Aircraft Production (Australia); British Commonwealth Air Training Plan; Dominion Air Training Scheme; New Zealand; Pacific; Royal Australian Air Force; Royal New Zealand Air Force; World War II (1939-1945)
Series Air 9. Chief of the Air Staff - Directorate Of Plans: Registered Files, 1926 - 1944
8 itemsRecords of the Deputy Director of Plans in the Directorate of Operations and Intelligence and, from 1939, of the Director of Plans under the Assistant Chiefs of Air Staff for policy and operations. The records relate to strategic and operational planning before and during the Second World War.
Items selected by the AJCP for filming film include material relating to the Imperial Conference, 1926; Dominion air defence and Air Forces, 1926-1939; United States Pacific Fleet (R.A.F. observers), 1943; Australian war effort, 1943-1945 and Pacific area strategy, 1943-1944.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: AIR 9. For further information, see AIR 9 at The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2064)
Subjects
Great Britain: Air Minisry; 1926 Imperial Conference; World War II (1939-1945; Pacific; War Effort (Australia, 1943-1945)