Commer RC

Commer RC
Type3+1⁄2-ton lorry
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
Used byBritish Empire, Belgium, United States
WarsFirst World War
Production history
ManufacturerCommer
Produced1907–1928
Specifications (WD Pattern)
Mass3+1⁄2 long tons (3.56 t)
Length20 ft 9 in (6.32 m) total
13 ft 3 in (4.04 m) wheelbase
Width7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
Height10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
Engine5,322 cc (324.8 cu in) 4-cylinder petrol
40.6 bhp (30.3 kW)[note 1]
Payload capacity3 long tons (3.05 t)
DriveChain driven 4x2
TransmissionLindley pre-selector
3-forward, 1-reverse
SuspensionSemi-elliptical leaf springs
ReferencesGosling,[2] Vanderveen[3] & Ware[4]

The Commer RC was a British lorry built by Commer in the 1910s and 1920s. During the First World War the RC saw widespread service with the militaries of the British Empire, and some were also supplied to the Belgian Army and the American Expeditionary Forces.

Design

The RC was a cab behind engine, rear-wheel-drive truck with a payload capacity of 3+1⁄2 long tons (3.56 t).[2][3] The British Army's wartime RCs had a chassis length of 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)[note 2] were 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m) total length, 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) wide and 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) in height.[3]

The RC was powered by a 4-cylinder inline petrol engine with a bore and stroke of 110 mm × 140 mm (4.3 in × 5.5 in) and 5,322 cc (324.8 cu in) displacement, the engine produced 40.6 hp (30.3 kW).[note 1][3][4] The RC was driven through a three-speed Lindley pre-selector transmission to double chain driven rear wheels.[3] The RC's drive chains were enclosed in aluminium cases to prevent them from picking up debris which caused wear and reduce noise levels, but in service these cases were found to be awkward to remove and very susceptible to damage.[2][5] The RC was fitted with front and rear semi-elliptical leaf spring suspension, rear wheel drum brakes and steel wheels fitted with solid rubber tyres, twin wheels at the rear.[1][2][3]

History

Commer RC with disc steel wheels
Commer RC showing its weather protection, a cab roof, side screens, canvas door and apron

The Commer company, originally called Commercial Cars Limited, was founded in 1905 intending to build easy to drive commercial vehicles, and the following year a factory was opened in Luton.[2][6] In 1907 the company introduced the 3+1⁄2-ton RC, that same year the RC was awarded the silver medal in the 3-ton class in the Royal Automobile Club Commercial Vehicle Trials.[6][7] A key feature of the RC was the Lindley pre-selector transmission, invented by engineer Charles Linley the transmission was incredibly advanced for the time and made gear changes easier and smoother.[2] By 1911 the company had extended its range of commercial vehicles, with seven truck models of 1 to 7-ton payload capacities and three bus models, each were assigned a two letter model code such as BC, WP and PC, although it is unclear how these designations were selected.[2][6]

Because of the pre-selector transmission, Commer's unique arrangement of the vehicle controls and its chain drive, the RC did not comply with the requirements of the 1911 War Office motor vehicle "subsidy scheme".[note 3][2][6] In order to produce an lorry eligible for the scheme, in 1913 Commer produced a completely new 3-ton model, the "Subsidy A Type", which had a new transmission, a worm driven rear axle and compliant controls, and in July 1914 it was accepted for subsidy registration.[2][6] However with the outbreak of the First World War Commer was directed to concentrate production of the proven RC instead of the new model.[6]

During the War, Commer produced over 3,000 RCs and they saw widespread service with the militaries of the British Empire, including the Australian, British and Canadian armies.[2][6][10] In military service, the pre-selector transmission was found to be challenging for unfamiliar drivers, so those assigned to drive the RC were sent on a week-long familiarisation course at Bulford to learn how to drive the type.[2][5] Additionally, specific transport companies were assigned Commer lorries instead of a mixing them with other lorry types.[2] At the time of the Armistice in 1918, 2,303 RCs remained in the service of the British Empire.[3] During the War, the British also provided RCs to the Belgian Army, and upon the United States' entry into the war some were also supplied to the American Expeditionary Forces in France.[2]

Post-war the RC a remained in production until 1926, despite being dated towards the end.[6] After the conflict Commer was hard hit by the market being flooded with ex-military lorries, in 1922 a receiver was appointed and in 1926 the company was purchased by Humber, at which time a new 4+1⁄2-ton lorry replaced the RC.[6]

Notes

  1. ^ a b The engine had a RAE horsepower rating of 32 bhp (24 kW) at 1,000 rpm.[1]
  2. ^ Post-war the RC was marketed with a 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m) chassis length.[1]
  3. ^ In 1911, the British War Office introduced a motor vehicle "subsidy scheme", which sought to subsidise commercial truck operators to purchase vehicles that were suitable for military service on the condition the War Office could impress them into service in the event of a national emergency.[8][9] To be suitable for registration under the scheme, the vehicle had to comply with a strict list of criteria of standardised controls and features.[8][9]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c Commercial Vehicles of Great Britain Vol. 2 (1920), p. 46.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Gosling (2017).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Vanderveen (1974), p. 201.
  4. ^ a b Ware (2023), p. 96.
  5. ^ a b Pullen (2014), p. 15.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Georgano & Naul (1979), p. 148.
  7. ^ Ware (2023), p. 64.
  8. ^ a b Gosling (2020).
  9. ^ a b Fletcher (1998), pp. 22–23.
  10. ^ Phaneuf & Menzies (2006), pp. 50–51.

Bibliography

  • Commercial Vehicles of Great Britain (PDF). Vol. 2. London: B. F. Goodrich Co. Ltd. 1920.
  • Fletcher, David (1998). British Military Transport: 1829–1956. Bovington: The Tank Museum. ISBN 011-290570-6.
  • Georgano, G.N.; Naul, G. Marshall, eds. (1979). The Complete Encyclopedia of Commercial Vehicles. Iola: Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-024-6.
  • Gosling, Tim (15 June 2017). "Ahead Of Their Time". Key Military. Stamford: Key Publishing. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  • Gosling, Tim (21 May 2020). "Government Subsidy". Key Military. Stamford: Key Publishing. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  • Phaneuf, Ingrid; Menzies, James (2006). Trucks of the World: over 240 of the world's greatest trucks. Bath: Paragon Publishing. ISBN 1-40546-725-8.
  • Pullen, Richard (November 2014). "Allied trucks of the Great War". Military Machines International. Stamford: Key Publishing.
  • Vanderveen, Bart H. (1974). The Observer's Army Vehicles Directory to 1940. London: Frederick Warne & Co. ISBN 0-7232-1540-5.
  • Ware, Pat (27 January 2023). A Compendium of British Soft-Skinned Vehicles: Part 1 - AEC to F.L. Douglas (Equipment). Yardling: Kelsey Media. ISSN 2976-5307.

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