For decades Ron Schneider has been collecting historical vehicles and aircraft, one of which flew prime ministers, dignitaries and potentially even the Queen Mother.
From the road, you may not notice anything out of the ordinary about Ron Schneider 's property at Marnoo in the Wimmera farming region of western Victoria. But if you get the chance to head up the driveway, you'll see an old Cessna resting to the left and a plane marked "US Air Force" on the right.
They are just two of hundreds of heritage cars, planes, machines and military vehicles — including a tank — in the 80-year-old's collection. Mr Schneider began collecting the historical pieces two decades ago, having always been fascinated by planes. "I remember we used to holiday down at Geelong, and there was Belmont Common there which was an airfield, and I vaguely remember — I might have only been five or six or seven years old — some aircraft parked there" he said. "In recent years I found that they were actually Avro Ansons that were parked there ... so I've always been very much interested in aircraft of some kind." Most of the planes in Mr Schneider's collection came from the RAAF Museum at Point Cook in Melbourne's south-west. One of his jewels is a full-sized Douglas Dakota plane from 1945, the military model of the classic DC-3. The behemoth towers over his yard; its interior virtually untouched since it was last flown in the 1980s. It was a VIP aircraft used for prime ministers, dignitaries and potentially even the Queen Mother, according to one story Mr Schneider hasn't been able to verify.Further along the yard is a Canberra bomber without its wings, but the cockpit and all its mechanics are still intact."That one that I've got was actually destined to go on a fire dump for firefighting practice, but it was saved from that and then put up for tender. "Aircraft are a little bit like grandma's axe or grandpa's axe — a new head one year and a new handle the next year, because aircraft that are flying the country continually ... they're being rebuilt all the time."It started with model aeroplanes as a teenager. Then he piloted gliders. Now, retired dentist Andre Viljoen has built his own jet aircraft to see Australia's best sights."I only went as far as a restricted which just enabled me to fly around the immediate area," he recalled. "That was great because if it was an afternoon, or Sunday afternoon in particular, I'd go to the Horsham aerodrome ... and just check the plane out, fill it up with fuel, write my name on the board and how long I was going for, and away we'd go for a flight. "I did fly in a Piper that belonged to somebody else at one stage, but it was always a 172 that I flew."In the shadow of the Dakota is something that startles some visitors, a Centurion tank that saw service in Vietnam. "A scrap dealer from Temora actually knew I was looking for one and he bought this particular one at a clearing sale ... so I bought it off him," Mr Schneider said. "I've got a couple of young chaps at the moment working on it. Hopefully when it gets a bit cooler, they'll come, and we'll have another go to get it running."Mr Schneider said once he found an aircraft, usually through word of mouth, it was a complex operation bringing it to his farm. The smaller pieces he is able to move himself, but the larger ones require professional carriers and escort cars, and he recounts one amusing reaction from a passer-by. "There was another truckie there and he said to my truckie guy, 'Where'd you get that?' And my truckie guy said: 'Oh, Point Cook.'Showcasing heritage Mr Schneider has had groups of up to 100 people visiting to view his collection, comprising mostly car clubs and enthusiasts. He also has a navy helicopter, a vintage tram from Brisbane, an armoured car, an anti-aircraft gun, a heritage flight simulator, an amphibious landing craft and several prototype cars still in driving condition. "I've had people from the US, I've had people from England here also. Just recently I had a few guys from Bendigo, Mildura, Queensland ... they come a fair way actually." Occasionally, Mr Schneider sells some items to individual collectors, but he has also allowed vehicles to be used in film and television productions. Fittingly, he also appeared as an extra in The Flying Doctors television series when it was being filmed in the area 40 years ago.Mr Schneider is building another shed, in addition to the three he has, to assist with storing the sheer volume of his pieces."Quite a lot of it would have been scrapped if I hadn't rescued it; some of the cars, some of the machinery, even the aircraft. "My father was a very hands-on person and never threw things out ... I think he'd be rather proud of what I've done."Restored 1940s aircraft offers journey back into the history of luxury air travelThe latest unexpected twist in the Lehrmann defamation trial has origins in a much smaller political scandal 'I wouldn't protect you': Trump could win back the White House. Here's how he plans to change the worldOn a good day, life on this remote weather station is like 'holidaying at a beautiful tropical resort'The new faces of Tasmania's incoming parliament — and who is outGold Coast couple forced to demolish termite-riddled home just months after purchase Excerpts of Brittany Higgins's unpublished memoir describe a 'Wolf of Wall Street' scene within Canberra's parliamentA shark vomited up a human arm. It led to 'the most extraordinary criminal case' seen at NSW Supreme Court'I wouldn't protect you': Trump could win back the White House. Here's how he plans to change the worldMore than 150 people rescued from waters as sunny skies mask Sydney flood threatThe latest unexpected twist in the Lehrmann defamation trial has origins in a much smaller political scandal 'I wouldn't protect you': Trump could win back the White House. Here's how he plans to change the world
Rupanyup Plane Wimmera Aircraft History DC3 Dakota Ron Schneider Goodnews
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canberra Liberals Propose Dedicated Bus Lanes Instead of Light RailThe Canberra Liberals propose dedicated bus lanes between the City and Woden instead of light rail, more rapid and school bus routes, and hundreds of locally built electric buses in their public transport policy. Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee says more frequent bus services would be cheaper and quicker to implement than the planned Commonwealth Park light rail extension, which is expected to take about five years to build.
Read more »
Christopher Pyne emerges as Hanwha’s man in CanberraThe Korean conglomerate has lobbed a $1 billion bid for ASX-listed Austal. The local shipbuilder has rejected the offer, saying it won’t be approved.
Read more »
Queensland’s first festival pill-testing service finds ‘Canberra ketamine’ sold as MDMARabbits Eat Lettuce festival, near Warwick, held Australia’s first multi-day festival clinic last weekend
Read more »
Rising star jockey dies after tragic incident in CanberraThe family of a rising star jockey has announced with “deep sadness” that he has died after a tragic incident in Canberra. Cherchi, 23, was placed into an induced coma when suffering head injuries and internal bleeding after parting company with his mount in a race at Thoroughbred Park on March 20.
Read more »
Jockey dies two weeks after fall in Canberra raceStefano Cherchi, 23, had been in an induced coma in the intensive care unit at Canberra Hospital since the fall on March 20.
Read more »
Can independents inspired by David Pocock become kingmakers in Canberra?Speaking to Stateline, independent candidates say they are hoping a wave of discontent with the major political parties will help them seize the balance of power in the local Legislative Assembly at October's territory election.
Read more »