Function and purpose
This is the main correspondence file series used by the Royal Australian Air Force from 1922 to 1960 and, from 1922 to 1938, this included the area now known as Civil Aviation. The Royal Australian Air Force, created in 1921, initially used a file registration system based on the current army administration system. In 1922 they began this system which lasted (with only minor changes) until 1960.
The series covers such areas as general administration; technical and specialist areas; equipment procurement and disposal; personnel matters; leasing of land and buildings etc. The majority of files extant in this series cover the years 1940 onwards.
Files of this period are buff coloured, with Royal Australian Air Force printed on them. The secret files have a red band, about 4cm wide printed on the top and left hand side of the file cover. The later files are similar but have 'Department of Air' printed on the cover. The earlier files have no covers, being held together with a metal clip, or are in cardboard folders.
There where also a number of AT consignments which contained A705 (and A703) records. These were accessioned in the ACT before the CRS system was fully established and are as follows:
AT 1966/8 Correspondence files 1938 - 1958 3.24m
AT 1967/10 " " 1938 - 1958 3.96m
AT 1968/6 " " 1938 - 1958 5.22m
AT 1969/2 " " 1938 - 1958 1.08m
AT 1970/32 " " 1929 - 1960 45.18m
AT 1970/40 " " 1939 - 1960 1.80m
AT 1975/4 " " 1938 - 1958 1.26m
AT 1980/6 " " 1929 - 1960 8.82m
AT 1985/3 " " 1938 - 1953 1.80m
AT 1990/5 " " 1929 - 1960 18.72m
AT 2010/4 " " 1926 - 1960 83.88m
All of these consignments have now been converted to A705 consignments (with some portions converted to A703 consignments).
Related legislation
Using the series
Language of material
Physical characteristics
System of arrangement and control
Relationships with other records
Finding aids
Access conditions
Series history
Provenance
Immediate source of acquisition
Custodial history
Quantity in agency custody
Disposal history
The series was culled under Disposal Schedule No.197 prior to transfer of the records to archival custody.However, in accordance with the direction on the disposal of 'Aged' files - reference Australian Archives Central Office file 89/839 - the extant portion of the series will now be retained permanently.
Consignments A705/2, A705/4, A705/5, A705/6, A705/7, A705/8, A705/9, A705/11, A705/12, A705/13 & A705/14 werewithdrawn to Defence in July 2018.
Consignment A705T1 was withdrawn permanently by the Department of Defence [III], Central Office for sentencing purposes of temporary records on the 18th July 2019.
Publication note
Additional information
End notes
Sources