The Greatest Housing Adventure
The utilization of unorthodox materials for housing construction, such as buses, tiny houses, and shipping containers, is becoming increasingly fashionable.
These one-of-a-kind and reasonably priced alternatives provide the same level of comfort and a variety of personalization possibilities. Jo Ann Ussery, on the other hand, cleared the path for this trend long before it became popular.
After her house in Benoit, Mississippi, was destroyed in 1993, she began on an astonishing journey, converting an old Boeing 727 into a magnificent and completely functioning home.
Ussery’s adventure began when her husband died unexpectedly, leaving her and her two children in need of a new place to live. She considered purchasing a trailer as a solution to her financial difficulties.
She quickly discovered, however, that she couldn’t afford a home large enough to accommodate her increasing family. Bob, Ussery’s in-law and an air traffic controller, then presented an unusual idea: living on a plane.
Ussery, intrigued by the notion, went to see a dismantled Boeing 727 and fell in love at first sight. The best part? The plane was only $2,000, including freight. Ussery called her new buy “Little Trump” after Donald Trump, who also owns a private Boeing 727.
Ussery began the difficult work of renovating the jet into a distinctive and pleasant house with perseverance and inventiveness. She began on a project that would demand substantial time and financial investment for less than $30,000 (roughly $60,000 now).
She intentionally landed the jet on her property with the nose facing a lovely lake to ensure the plane’s stability throughout the refurbishment. To keep the tail in place, it was tightly cemented with concrete.
Ussery immediately began deconstructing the interior, which spanned an amazing 1,500 square feet, after the foundations were constructed. The approximately 138-foot-long airliner, with 76 windows, provided a lot of natural light.
Ussery made significant changes to the plane’s design to make her vision a reality. While the original windows were inoperable, the current air conditioning system provided a pleasant living environment.
She prioritized insulation upgrades and replaced the aircraft’s flooring. Ussery also cleverly utilized the plane’s lavatory and overhead bins as space-saving alternatives. The end result? A superbly planned living environment that maximized the available space.
Ussery focused her efforts once the major renovations were completed on creating a stunning and pleasant living environment. The refurbished plane now included three bedrooms, a comfortable living area, a fully working kitchen, and even a handy washing room.
Ussery went over and beyond, ensuring her refurbished plane contained unexpected conveniences such as a phone and an oven. The cockpit’s makeover into a spectacular master bathroom, however, was unquestionably the crown gem of her design.
To take advantage of the breathtaking vistas outdoors, Ussery skillfully placed a soaking tub. The room’s arrangement was precisely constructed such that everyone entering it seemed as though they were floating on water.
What truly distinguishes Ussery’s feat is that she completed this astounding metamorphosis on her own. From 1995 to 1999, she and her children lived onboard their converted plane, savoring the pleasures of their one-of-a-kind home.
Ussery was so moved by the experience that she wanted to turn it into a public museum to share it with the rest of the world. Unfortunately, an accident happened during the process of carrying the airplane a short distance, leading it to fall off the carriage and disintegrate.
While Ussery’s Boeing 727 is no longer flying, its history continues to captivate and inspire. Her astonishing adventure of transforming an old airplane into an exceptional house demonstrates that with vision, ingenuity, and drive, one can build a genuinely one-of-a-kind living place.
Jo Ann Ussery’s tale exemplifies the boundless possibilities that exist when we dare to think outside the box and make our ideas a reality.
