It was intended that the aircraft would be brought up the slip for servicing and general maintenance. RAF Headquarters was established in a Victorian villa known as Dungallan House on Gallanach Road, Oban. For its new occupation, it was equipped with teleprinter and cypher rooms, meteorological office, wireless room, operations room and administrative departments. The Commanding Officer, when the base opened in September 1938 was Group Captain J.H.O. Jones.

The first to arrive was 209 Squadron who were equipped with Saro Lerwick flying-boats.

Saro Lerwick of No. 209 Squadron, Oban 1939

This type of aircraft was not a success, it was unstable on water and in the air, with a vicious tendency to stall. Several months were to pass before it was replaced by perhaps the best known Squadron at Oban, 210 Squadron, who were equipped with the excellent Short Sunderland.

Sunderland 3 of 422 Squadron RCAF

These huge, four engined flying-boats had been developed from the pre-war Empire class C-Boats, manufactured by the same company. The Sunderland carried a crew of ten and could stay in the air for sixteen hours. With the advent of war, it had rapidly proved itself as a reliable and effective U-Boat countermeasure.