Buses, tiny houses, and shipping containers are experiencing renewed interest as potential building materials for unique residences.
These alternatives to conventional accommodations offer the same comfort at a fraction of the cost with many customization options.
But Jo Ann Ussery built her own unique home long before it became a trend.
She purchased a decommissioned Boeing 727 and turned it into a lavish apartment.
In 1993, Ussery’s house 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 their problems but quickly realized she couldn’t afford a house big enough to accommodate her family of three.
Ussery’s brother-in-law Bob, an air traffic controller, suggested she try living in an airplane.
Ussery was receptive to the idea, so she went to inspect a Boeing 727 slated for dismantling.
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 learning that Donald Trump also owned a private Boeing 727.
She immediately began her expensive and time-consuming renovation work.
She spent less than $30,000 (about $60,000 in today’s money) on the renovation.
She had to ensure it remained at its current location while she worked inside.
Ussery utilized the lake already on her property and parked the plane so its nose faced the water.
For this reason, a substantial amount of concrete was used to secure the tail. She then began tearing out the approximately 1,500 square feet interior.
The plane is 138 feet long and has 76 windows.
The windows didn’t open, as is typical with commercial airplanes, but this wasn’t a problem for Ussery since the plane was equipped with air conditioning.
She improved insulation and laid new flooring. What remained of the original 727?
Having only an airplane bathroom and overhead compartments for storage was a brilliant solution to the limited space problem.
After completing the major renovations, Ussery could focus on finer details and added comfort.
There were three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and even a laundry room in the renovated plane.
It also had an oven and a telephone alongside 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 so that residents felt like they were floating in the air.
Most notably, Ussery did all the renovation work herself.
Between 1995 and 1999, she called her converted airplane home before deciding to open it to the world in the form of a museum.
It was being transported a short distance when it tragically fell off the trailer and was destroyed.
It’s fortunate that we have these stunning snapshots below:
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