The trend of using buses, tiny homes, and shipping containers as innovative building materials for unique residences has been on the rise.
These cost-effective alternatives to traditional housing offer comparable comfort levels along with extensive customization possibilities.
Bob, Sarah Ussery’s relative who works as an air traffic controller, proposed the idea of living in an aircraft.
Intrigued by the concept, Sarah examined a Boeing 727 slated for dismantling.
She immediately fell in love with it, and the acquisition cost only $2,000, including shipping.
Upon learning that Donald Trump owned a private Boeing 727, Sarah named hers “Little Trump.”
She commenced extensive and time-consuming renovations right away.
Undertaking a major overhaul, Sarah invested less than $30,000 (equivalent to around $60,000 today).
While working on the interior, she ensured the aircraft remained securely positioned.
Positioning the plane so its nose extended over the water, Sarah utilized an existing lake on her property. To achieve this, she anchored the tail with substantial concrete supports before starting to gut the 1,500-square-foot interior.
The Boeing 727 boasts 76 windows and stretches 138 feet in length.
Though its windows were fixed shut, Sarah’s installation of air conditioning resolved any ventilation concerns.
She replaced the flooring and improved the insulation, retaining select original features of the 727.
Having just one airplane bathroom and overhead bins efficiently addressed space constraints.
Featuring redesigned interiors, Sarah focused on adding additional comforts and meticulous finishing touches.
The refurbished plane included three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and even a laundry room.
Equipped with a washing machine, dryer, phone, and oven, it was fully functional.
One of Sarah’s standout improvements was transforming the cockpit’s view into a luxurious master bathroom complete with a soaking tub.
Designed to evoke a sensation of floating, the bathroom layout provided an immersive experience for its occupant.
Sarah completed every aspect of the refurbishment single-handedly.
She resided in her converted plane from 1995 to 1999 before opting to convert it into a public museum.
Unfortunately, during transportation over a short distance, the plane tragically slipped from its carriage and was destroyed.
