Reliance Radio manufactured radios in Australia from 1926 till the mid 1950’s.

During that time various companies’ used the “Reliance” brand name along with brands, York. Sky-Raider, etc.

Below is a chronology of the various, verified, known manufacturers of the Reliance Radio brand.

The Reliance Radio Company advertised imported radio receivers from 1925. In 1932, Reliance Radio Co. (A/sia) Sydney was formed and had no distribution network and sold directly to the public from their showroom at 10 Barrack St. in the Sydney central business district. Their prices were as a result lower than competing manufacturers. As well as inexpensive sets they made elaborate multivalve radiograms to order.

Reliance Radio Co. (1926-1927)
2^nd Floor, Wembley House, Railway Square, Sydney, NSW

Brand: Reliance

The Reliance Radio Co. was founded by George. H. Johnson and Charles. H. Weyman in June 1926. According to the advert, Weyman was workshop Manager for The Australian Wireless Co. [1] The Australian Wireless Co. was amalgamated with Marconi Australia to form AWA in 1913, so I assume the advert refers to Weyman working for AWA. 

They manufactured Reliance branded, battery operated, coffin style radios from imported and Australian manufactured parts. The also possibly imported radios and re-badged them.

In September 1926 Johnson retired and Weyman carried on the business.[2]

The company filed for Bankruptcy in May 1927.[3]

Reliance Radio Co. (A/sia); (1932-1936)
Reliance House, 139 Clarence Street, Sydney, NSW. (1932-1934)
45 York Street, Sydney, NSW (1934-1935)
14 Barrack St., Sydney, NSW (1935-1936)

Brands; Reliance, York, Sky-Raider

Reliance Radio Company (A/Asia), was established by Norman T. Craven in May, 1932. The company advertised their policy of selling direct from the Warehouse, thus eliminating distribution costs.[4]

In 1933 they released the first of their York series, the York 9 valve radiogram. By 1937 they were producing the "York Royal" radiogram which had 20 valves. The York series was based on the Luxurious principle of radio by Scott Radio labs in the USA.

The Sky-Raider series of radios started with the Sky-Raider 6 in May 1935.

The Sky-Raider World Wide Model 44D with Mystic Ray, Talking Dials and Automatic Waveband Indicator was advertised in May 1936.

In November 1936, Craven formed the Reliance Radio Company (A/Asia) into the Reliance Radio Proprietary Ltd.[5]

Reliance Radio Proprietary. Ltd.
14 Barrack St., Sydney, NSW (1936-1940)

Brands; Reliance, York, Sky-Raider

​Reliance Radio Proprietary. Ltd. continued selling under the direct from the Warehouse philosophy and from the same address 14 Barrack Street, Sydney.

In June 1940 the company was merged with Craven Wylde Pty. Ltd. and moved 3 doors down to 10 Barrack Street, Sydney.[6]

Craven Wylde Pty. Ltd. (1939-1945)
10 Barrack St., Sydney, NSW

Brands; Reliance, York, Sky-Raider, Sky Pal,

In November 1939 Craven and Russel M. Wild registered Craven, Wylde Pty. Ltd. as manufacturers of and dealers wireless sets, refrigerators and electrical goods.[7]

They manufactured an RF Amplifier called the Sky Pal and Sky-Raider communications receivers along with Sky-Raider domestic radios.

In October 5, 1945 the name changed back to Reliance Radio Pty. Ltd.[8]

Reliance Radio Pty. Ltd. (1945-     )
10 Barrack St., Sydney, NSW (1945- )
18 Darcy Street, Parramatta, NSW (1954-)

Brands; Reliance, York, Sky-Raider, Super Sky Master, Sky-Knight

The company continued manufacturing radios under the above brands and also traded as an electrical retailer, selling phonograph records and hot water systems. [9]

From 1946 they incorporated a connection for an FM converter into their AM broadcast receivers.

They produced the Sky-Knight chassis in 1948 which was sold as a chassis and later they incorporated this chassis into their radiograms.[10]

They manufactured large radiograms as well as more modest radios and in 1949 they made a 36 valve "Super Sky Master"

In 1954 they opened a branch at Darcy Street, Parramatta.

By the late 1950’s the company traded as an electrical retailer and survived into the early 1970’s.[11]

[1] The Sun (NSW) Jun 27, 1926, Page 9.
[2] Government Gazette (NSW) Oct 8, 1926, Page 4287.
[3] Government Gazette (NSW) May 27, 1927, Page 2628.
[4] Radio Trade Annual, 1936, page 347.
[5] The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) Nov 28, 1936, Page 19.
[6] The Sun (NSW)  Jun 9 1940  Page 13.
[7] The Daily Telegraph (NSW) Nov 16, 1939, page 22.
[8] Duns Gazette Oct 5, 1945, Page 123.
[9] Building & Engineering Aug 24, 1946, page 83.
[10] Radio & Hobbies, Apr 1949, page 69.
[11] The Sun (NSW) Oct 14, 1954, Page 23.