Buses, tiny houses, and shipping containers are experiencing renewed interest as potential building materials for unique dwellings.
These alternatives to conventional housing offer the same comfort at a fraction of the cost, with many customization options.
But Jo Ann Ussery built her unique home long before it became a trend.
She purchased a decommissioned Boeing 727 and transformed it into a luxurious apartment.
Unique Dwelling
In 1993, Ussery’s home in Benoit, Mississippi, was destroyed, marking the beginning of her journey.
Her husband had just passed away, so she and her two children needed a place to live but had very little money.
She hoped a mobile home would solve all her problems, but soon realized she couldn’t afford a home large enough to accommodate her family of three.
Ussery’s brother-in-law, Bob, is an air traffic controller and suggested she try living in an airplane.
Ussery was open to the idea, so she went to inspect a Boeing 727 that was scheduled to be dismantled for parts.
She fell in love with it at first sight, and the price, including shipping costs, was only $2,000.
Ussery named her Boeing 727 « Little Trump » after discovering that Donald Trump also owned a private Boeing 727.
She immediately began the costly and laborious renovation work.
Massive Renovation
She spent less than $30,000 (around $60,000 in today’s money) on the renovation.
She had to ensure it remained at its current site while she worked inside.
Ussery utilized the lake already present on her property and parked the plane so that the nose faced the water.
This particular setup required a considerable amount of concrete to secure the tail.
She then started demolishing the interior of about 1,500 square feet.
The plane is 138 feet long and has 76 windows.
The windows didn’t open, as is typical in commercial airplanes, but this wasn’t a problem for Ussery as the plane was equipped with air conditioning.
She improved the insulation and laid down new floors. What remained of the original 727?
Having only one airplane bathroom and luggage compartments for storage was a clever response to the limited space issue.
After completing the larger renovation works, Ussery could move on to finer details and additional comforts.
There were three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and even a laundry room in the refurbished plane.
She even had an oven and a phone next to the washer and dryer.
What Ussery did with the cockpit overlooking the lake was undoubtedly the best improvement.
She turned it into a regal master bathroom with a deep bathtub.
She planned the layout of the spaces so that the inhabitants would feel like they were floating in the air.
Most notably, Ussery carried out all the renovation work herself.
Between 1995 and 1999, she called her Boeing 727 home before deciding to open it to the world in the form of a museum.
It was being transported for a short distance when it tragically fell from the trailer and was destroyed.
We’re lucky to have these impressive photos below:
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