The trend of building homes using non-traditional materials, like buses, tiny houses, and shipping containers, is growing fast. These unique and affordable options offer comfort and plenty of ways to customize. But Jo Ann Ussery started this trend long before it became popular.
After her home in Benoit, Mississippi, was destroyed in 1993, she embarked on a unique adventure by transforming an old Boeing 727 into a beautiful, fully functional home.
From Tragedy to Triumph
Ussery’s journey began when her husband died unexpectedly, leaving her and her two children needing a new home. Facing financial difficulties, she initially considered buying a trailer. But she soon realized she couldn’t afford a house big enough for her family.
Then her father-in-law, Bob, an air traffic controller, suggested the unusual idea of living in an airplane.
Intrigued by the concept, Ussery went to see a disassembled Boeing 727 and fell in love with it at first sight. It cost only $2,000, including shipping. Inspired by Donald Trump’s personal Boeing 727, she named her new home “Little Trump.”
With determination and creativity, Ussery began the big task of transforming the aircraft into a unique and comfortable home. With $30,000 (about $60,000 today), she started a project that required significant time and money.
To ensure the aircraft’s stability during repairs, she strategically landed it on her property with its nose pointed at a beautiful lake and secured the tail with concrete. After the foundations were laid, Ussery began to dismantle the interior, which covered an area of 1,500 square feet.
The nearly 40-meter-long plane, with its 76 windows, provided plenty of natural light. To realize her vision, Ussery made significant changes to the aircraft’s design. Although the original windows were non-functional, the existing air conditioning system provided a comfortable living environment.
She prioritized improved insulation and installed new flooring throughout the aircraft. Ussery also did a great job redesigning the plane’s bathrooms and luggage areas with space-saving solutions. The result? A beautifully designed living space that made optimal use of the available space.
A Unique Oasis of Comfort
After extensive renovations, Ussery focused on creating a wonderful and comfortable living environment. The updated plane now had three bedrooms, a cozy living room, a fully functional kitchen, and even a convenient laundry room.
Not content with just the basics, Ussery went to great lengths to equip her improved aircraft with unexpected luxuries such as telephones and stoves.
But the highlight of this design was the transformation of the guest bedroom into a beautiful master bathroom. Ussery cleverly installed the bathroom to take advantage of the amazing views outside.
The layout of the rooms was carefully planned so that anyone entering them would feel as if they were floating on water. What really makes Ussery’s achievement stand out is that she accomplished this incredible transformation on her own.
From 1995 to 1999, she and her children enjoyed their unique home in a converted airplane.
The experience was so satisfying that Ussery decided to share her creation with the world and turn it into a public museum. Unfortunately, the aircraft had an accident during a short trip, sliding off the carriage and breaking up.
Ussery’s Boeing 727 may no longer be intact, but its legacy continues to captivate and inspire. Her incredible journey of transforming an old airplane into a one-of-a-kind home proves that with vision, creativity, and determination, you can create a truly unique living space.
Jo Ann Ussery’s story is a testament to the endless possibilities when we think outside the box and make our dreams come true.
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