RAF Oban

RAF Oban
Oban, Argyll and Bute
250px A Short Sunderland Mark I of No. 210 Squadron RAF undergoing maintenance just off the base.
RAF Oban
Coordinates
Type	Royal Air Force station
Site information
Owner	Air Ministry
Controlled by	Royal Air Force
Site history
Built	1940 (1940)
In use	1940-1945 (1945)
Battles/wars	Second World War

RAF Oban is a former Royal Air Force (RAF) flying boat base located at the northern end of the island of Kerrera, in Ardantrive Bay west of Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland during the Second World War.

History

Oban was surveyed by the RAF in the 1930s as a suitable base for flying boat operations. A fuel depot was set up on the island of Kerrera while No. 209 Squadron RAF began utilising the facilities operating the Supermarine Stranraer flying-boat in October 1939. An aircraft servicing area, new slip and jetty were constructed on the island.

The base became operational in September 1938, with Headquarters based at Dungallan House, Oban. No. 209 Squadron re-equipped with Saro Lerwick flying-boats were based at RAF Oban. Aircrew based at RAF Oban were billeted in the main seafront hotels at Oban. No. 210 Squadron RAF equipped with the Short Sunderland replaced No. 209 Squadron in July 1940.

Anti submarine patrols, convoy escorts as part of 18 Group Coastal Command and ferry services were carried out from the base. No. 228 Squadron RAF, No. 10 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force, No. 422 and 423 Squadrons Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 330 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF.

No. 302 Ferry Training Unit and No. 4 Flying Coat Servicing Unit served at the base.

A Flying Boat Maintenance Unit located to the north east at Ganavan provided maintenance for aircraft utilising the base. The base was reverted to care and maintenance on 28 April 1945.

Commanding officers

• Group Captain J.H.O. Jones - September 1938.
• Group Captain J H Chaplin - December 1943.

References

Bibliography

• Jefford, C.G, MBE, BA, RAF (Retd). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.

External links

• RAF Oban Information
• Secret Scotland