....Captains became Commodores
The reason was that Air Stations (like the carriers) were commanded by Captains "over 6". These chaps were paid as 1*s but then Cdre was not a selective rank. That changed and the 1* rank became substantive.
Commodore down west,
Captain at Yeovil,
Other way round I think.
Rank of command should be based on responsibility and accountability. An airfield of 4,000 people and 100 aircraft seems reasonable for 1* command.