Eglinton Hunt Club RCAF Institute of Aviation Medicine

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2007

Standing at the top of a post here at 1111 Avenue Road just south of Roselawn Avenue is a 1998 Heritage Toronto plaque which tells us about this site:

Plaque coordinates: 43.708036 -79.409995

Surrounded by open fields, this site became home to the Eglinton Hunt Club in 1919. By 1929 the club added stables, arenas - one for indoor polo - and an impressive club house, all designed by architects Vaux and Bryan Chadwick. The Royal Canadian Air Force purchased the site in 1939 where Sir Dr. Frederick G. Banting directed secret research on the physiological effects of combat flying, and where Dr. Wilbur R. Franks created the world's first anti "G" flying suit and the first human centrifuge in the allied countries. During the 1950s and 60s RCAF auxiliary squadrons were based here to defend Toronto during the Cold War. The RCAF Staff School, later the Canadian Forces Staff School, occupied the site from 1960-1994, educating over 10,000 military officers prior to closure June 30th, 1994.

Related Toronto plaque
Sir Dr. Frederick G. Banting

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Posted November 29, 2010
I was a Flight Engineer during the time of conversion from Piston Engine to Jet power in the 1950's. I was attached to 129 A& FF at No 06 Repair Depot, and later transferred to the 129 A&FF Detachment at Lincoln Park in Calgary Alberta, and we were attached to C.P.A. Repair Division. who were the Prime R,C.A. F. Contractor at that base. There were few if any locations where the High Altitude Indoctrination could be performed,and we used to go to "The Hunt Club" in Toronto, on a regular basis to get our Indoctination for High Altitude Flying, and learn about Aviation Medicine on Jet Powered aircraft, which we were ferrying to Canadian user bases. I flew in a C45 from Trenton to Lincoln Park in Calgary with a Flt. Lt. Jarowski, who at that time was the Officer Commanding "The Hunt Club". The heaters in the old Expeditor packed up before we reported over the Lakehead to Fort William- Port Arthur Radio, and we nearly froze the entire trip to Calgary. Ofcourse in later years,as Cold Lake, North Bay, Bagotville, St. Huberts,Chatham, and Uplands and other bases were established for Jet Aircraft such as the Vampire, F-80 Shooting Star (on Mutual Aid from the U.S.A.), the T-33 from Canadair, the F-86 from Canadair,and the great CF-100 from A.V. Roe at Malton,we,in later years took the Indocrination at Cold Lake. I will always remember our trips to "The Hunt Club",and always the great reception they offered.
Roy Foster, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

Posted October 11, 2010
I was a Flight Cadet posted here in 1950 for initial training at l Manning Depot. At that time, the most notable feature of the Institute of Aviation Medicine was the human centrifuge, in which all Cadets were given (literally) a spin. I believe it revved up to 9 G's, at the time considered the effective limit to remaining conscious, at least without an anti-gravity suit. I recall many blacked out at much lower speeds and it was a subject of great speculation. After much anticipation, I found the experience not as overwhelming as advertised, but it did feel quite strange. Those who graduated from the intake were divided into fledgling Radio Officers who went on the 2 R&CS Clinton and Pilots, sent to FTS at RCAF Station Centralia. Those were the days!
F James Smith, Puslinch ON

Posted July 31, 2010
Does anyone have any information about the family of the Douglas Soper who worked at the Institute. I believe he may be my second cousin, Douglas J. Soper, sometime Flight Lieutenant RCAF, son of William Charles Soper who appears to have emigrated from England to Canada in 1906 and to be boarding in Ingersoll, Oxford South, Ontario in 1911. Also about his elder brothers, Melville L. Soper, also sometime Flight Lieutenant RCAF, and William C. Soper. It is possible that Douglas had two children, Sally and Robert. Douglas's branch of the Soper family originates from the Wolverton-Kingsclere area of the county of Hampshire in England. Any information as to births, marriages, deaths and children would be much appreciated.
John Keutgen, London, England.
e-mail: john.keutgen@btopenworld.com

Posted July 28, 2010
Thank you for posting my article about Russ DeTro. I would love to hear from anyone that was stationed at Eglington Hunt Club in Toronto and was working there in test and development. when Russ was there and we were working on the anti-blackout suit. Thank you I am including my e-mail address maybe just maybe someone will answer my letter.Bunny.
thebun@communitynet.org

Posted May 29, 2010
my husband and I were both in the RCAF in 1942-1945, and stationed at the Banting Institute at Eglington Hunt Club in test and develoment. Marguerite M.(Lambert) and Russel Gordon DeTro married 12/14/45. My husband was in test and developement working in decompression chambers and human centrifuge. He was featured in the publication, "First Fifty Years" wearing (photo 9/7/45) lifejacket. Myself, I was sewing the anti blackout suits that was invented by the Dr. Franks. We both were discharge in 1945 and moved to Riverside, Washington. We now live at 225 Lime Street, Omak, WA. 98841 U.S.A. Russel Gordon DeTro passed away with Alzhimers, in Omak, Washington U.S.A. May 18, 2010 at the age of 90 years.

Posted March 8, 2009
I can remember being sent here, in 1955, from 2 Advanced Flying School, Portage la Prairie, as a very young Flight Cadet, (18) to participate in tests involving the decompression chamber, ejection tower (for testing ejection seats) plus some interesting motion sickness studies. It was a unique period after which I went back to finish my course and get my wings on April 6, 1956.
Lynn Garrison, RCAF

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