Catalogue description Records of the Air Transport Auxiliary

Details of Division within AVIA
Reference: Division within AVIA
Title: Records of the Air Transport Auxiliary
Description:

Records of the Air Transport Auxiliary relating to the provision of civil aviation services in the Second World War.

Comprises papers, AVIA 27 and selected civilian personal files, AVIA 81
Date: 1939-1947
Separated material:

Records of service of Air Transport Auxiliary personnel were presented by the Ministry of Defence to the Royal Air Force Museum, 1964-
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Creator:

Air Ministry, Air Transport Auxiliary, 1939-1940

Ministry of Aircraft Production, Air Transport Auxiliary, 1940-1945
Physical description: 2 series
Administrative / biographical background:

In May 1939 a scheme was introduced by the Civil Aviation Department of the Air Ministry to provide a reserve of experienced pilots who, although unsuitable for active service in the Royal Air Force, would provide for the wartime requirements of civil aviation. These pilots formed the Air Transport Auxiliary, administered for the Air Ministry by British Overseas Airways Corporation. In practice, their main function became that of ferry pilots, delivering aircraft from factory to store. In August 1940 control of the auxiliary passed to the Ministry of Aircraft Production. The auxiliary was wound up at the end of the war.

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