The following was written by Bruce Forsyth and is used, with his permission, from his web site: Canadian Military History. With thanks Bruce
Canadian Forces Base Toronto - Avenue Road Detachment:
Originally opened in 1939 as the RCAF Institute of Aviation Medicine, a military laboratory, on the grounds of the Eglington Hunt Club. The Institute's purpose was to conduct secret research on the psychological effects of combat flying. It was here that Dr. Wilbur Franks, under the direction of Sir Frederick Banting, developed the first anti-gravity flying suit and the first human centrifuge for the allied armies. The facility also doubled as the home of No. 1 Initial Training School, who moved here shortly afterwards to train recruits for the war. Administrative offices and barracks were constructed to house the school.
After WWII, the Institute became a Detachment of the newly established RCAF Station Toronto (Downsview).
