In 1944 the Commando Engine Company of 287 Spring Street,
Melbourne applied for trademark registration. The business was essentially a
partnership between founding members Herbert Reginald Bain (Engineer) of 26
Canberra Rd, Toorak and John Barron-Bryson (Manager) of 21 Parkingston Street,
Kew. It is not known how long prior the business was established, however
articles detail the manufacture of engine components for various types of
aircraft and the supply of complete Commando engines to the Australian Army and
Navy for marine, outboard and general use ‘during the war’. Ref: WWII from September 1, 1939 and ended
September 2, 1945.
The partnership between Herbert
Reginald Bain and John Barron-Bryson was formally dissolved on October 5th 1945. At that time,
Herbert Reginald Bain assumed all responsibility, liabilities and debts. The
company continued to manufacture engines and trade as it previously had.
On June 15th 1946, an advertisement in “The Age” announces “Commando 3-hp Outboard Motors, as supplied
to the Army. A limited number of surplus engines for immediate delivery, all
brand new”. This advertisement may
represent the first ‘to the public’ offering of Commando Outboard Motors.
Several more recent advertisements also mention Army surplus, thus suggesting
the Commando outboard was never produced in commercial quantities or with sales
to the general public in mind. Indeed the Commando outboard was designed for
slow speed, heavy duty operation more akin to moving barges than recreational
fishing boats.
It is understood (but not
confirmed) that the Australian Miliary had contracted the Commando Engine
Company to produce a quantity of 100 Outboard Motors during World War II.
Fortunately, the war ended before the Outboards were put in to service, hence
their advertised availability as brand new, army surplus, post war. Known
survivors are build numbers 7, 23, 54 (engine only), 60, 64 (outboard with bad
engine) and 81.
On 28th of June 1946 the company was reformed and re-registered; most likely as Commando Industries Limited. Directors announced are H.R &
M.K. Bain.
In 1951, John Buncle & Son acquire the company and
rename it John Buncle Commando Ltd with subsidiaries John Buncle & Son Ltd
and Commando Industries Ltd.
Prior to the acquisition by John Buncle & Son, Commando
produced 4 engines, these being
- Junior (1.5hp),
- Cub (3hp),
- Super (3.5hp) and
- Big 4 (4hp).
At first glance, the engine hp ratings may suggest the Cub engine
was used to power to the Commando Outboard. In fact both engines were purpose
built for their intended applications and comprise different crank case assemblies.
The above references to ‘manufacture during the war’,
strongly suggest the Commando was Australia’s very first outboard. The
above-mentioned advert also pre-dates the very first known advertisement of an
Australian outboard (Seamaster) to the general public by a little over a year.
Seamaster was first advertised July 17th 1946.
In addition, on inspection of all known Commando Outboard
Motors known to be in existence today, the Lucas RS1 Magnetos fitted have been
date coded 1944 or 1945.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Single cylinder, 2-stroke with 2 transfer ports
- Bore and Stroke 68mm x 68mm
- Revs per minute 880 to 2400
- Magneto Lucas RS1, waterproof and fitted with canvas cover
- Crankshaft high tensile Nickle steel drop forged, counter balanced. Precision ground
- Bearings Large ball thrust races with gits seals Nb: Git seals are used on aircraft engines to ensure constant crank case pressure
- Propellor Bronze made specifically for Commando engines, 3-blade, 10” diameter
- Gears Phospher bronze bevel gears (Gear generated reduction ratio 12 to 7
- Propellor Shaft 3/8 inch diameter, Stainless steel. Precision ground. Thrust ball bearings fitted to Bevel pinion, gears adjustable for mesh
- Weight 102lbs
- Overall height 40 ½”, Width 13 ½”, Depth 23 ½”. Tiller Arm 10 ½”
Note: Whilst the above specifications are from original advertisements, the propellers fitted to all Commando Outboard Motors sighted thus far, are in fact cast from aluminium. They otherwise match the above description.
Current owner B. Guppy, Perth, Western Australia. Commando Outboard Build No.7
