During mid-January 1955, a CF-100 arrived at Eglin AFB, Florida, for cold-weather tests in the climatic hangar. A seven-man RCAF team, headed by Flight Lieutenant B. D. Darling, which had previously conducted tests at Namao Air Base, Alberta, were part of the climatic detachment of "Central Experimental and Proving Establishment"; testing commenced during the following month. In March 1956, a batch of four CF-100 Canucks were dispatched to Eglin AFB to conduct comparative armament trials, where the type was flown by several United States Air Force (USAF) crews. The operational suitability tests, dubbed "Project Banana Belt", were carried out by the 3241st Test Group (Interceptor) of the APGC's "Air Force Operational Test Center", in conjunction with a project team belonging to the RCAF.