There are people who simply don’t want to live in conventional houses. Some prefer caravans, others houseboats. The man you are about to read about went one step further: he bought an old Boeing 727 passenger plane and turned it into a house. Read now about the amazing journey of an old airplane that became a cozy home.
1. It started with a crazy idea
Meet Bruce Campbell, a retired electrical engineer who is still very inventive. Campbell had a big plan: he bought an old Boeing 727 that he wanted to make his home. Many thought the idea was crazy. But the result left everyone amazed. Bruce called his special house “an aerospace-class castle.” I wonder what it looks like on the inside.
2. Ready for the conversion
Anyone who has ever sat in a passenger plane knows how cramped the interior there is. And that sometimes you feel like crammed sardines in the midst of all those people. A Boeing 727, however, is very large. Bruce first removed all the seats. What remained was a huge empty hangar, ready for the conversion.
3. The focus is on the detail
Bruce approached the project very meticulously. He paid attention to every little detail, including disconnecting some lights, removing the call buttons and oxygen masks, the PA system and disassembling the overhead compartments and more. It was a lot of work, but Bruce was able to finish all the renovations quickly.
4. A simple bedroom
Bruce wanted simple furnishings; he didn’t want a lot of luxuries, so he opted for a simple way of living on the plane. In his bedroom, for example, he put only a futon to sleep on. This simplicity probably best reflects his character. And what about other furniture? Let’s continue.
5. And a simple kitchen
Bruce has also furnished his kitchen very simply. There is nothing more than a refrigerator, a toaster and a microwave. Although he can hardly cook 5-course meals here, it is enough for simple meals. And surely his food tastes much better than the food on the plane, don’t you think?
6. A good food supply
In Bruce’s kitchen, you can see a lot of canned goods and canned cereal and dry goods. Because even though he has a refrigerator in his kitchen, Bruce apparently makes sure to preserve foods that don’t perish quickly. Sometimes Bruce goes shopping for vegetables and other goods. When visitors come, they often bring a lot of types of food.
7. The restroom
Of course, Bruce also has a restroom. To do this, he connected the original toilets, along with the sinks, to his custom-built plumbing system. And the former engineer doesn’t have to freeze either. He has even installed space heaters for cold days and nights. He has really built himself a cozy home.
8. A laundry room is important
Even though Bruce gave up a lot of everyday comforts and conveniences, there is something he didn’t want to give up. He owns both a washing machine and a dryer. It’s really amazing what you can hook up in an old airplane. Let’s take a look at what else Bruce has installed.
9. Lights in the darkness
In the evening it becomes really beautiful. When it gets dark, you can see the plane lit from within quite clearly in the forest, almost like a UFO surrounded by trees. Bruce built the plane to be environmentally friendly and energy efficient. And he took great care to make sure all the original LED lights were attached and working perfectly.
10. There is one rule
Since the floor on the plane is made of plexiglass, it gets dirty very quickly because of the outside environment. That’s why Bruce has set up a socks and slippers rule. This keeps the plane as clean as possible. What does that mean exactly? Well, every visitor must wear socks or slippers inside the aircraft, including himself, of course.
11. Almost completely functional
Bruce wanted to keep the Boeing 727 as fully operational as possible after he bought it. There was one exception, however: Bruce removed the engines after the plane was flying into his neck of the woods. Even with the engines missing, the rest of the aircraft is completely preserved and functional.
12. The cockpit as a media room
Even the cockpit of the plane still exists, even if the Boeing will never fly again. And Bruce always enjoys spending time here. Bruce has actually converted the cockpit into a home entertainment center. Sure it’s great to see science fiction movies like Star Trek or Star Wars in this technical place.
13. How to take a shower in a plane?
There was one important question that was a bit more complicated: how to take a shower inside? Normal passenger planes are usually not equipped with a shower. So Bruce had to install one himself. But no problem: He simply installed a fully functional shower near the rear of the plane, with hot and cold water.
14. Special concerts
The plane is not only a home for Bruce, but is also a popular gathering place for his friends and the Portland community. Bruce has built a great sound system on the wings of the plane. Clearly, many love the musical performances. The location and whole ambiance is certainly perfect for such gatherings.
15. Everybody is welcome here
Bruce is very hospitable: backpackers and curious adventurers often drop by and even stay for a few nights. Bruce is happy to share his house with them and doesn’t ask for money either. Those who would like to visit Bruce in his converted airplane just need to email him in advance.
16. It can get very cold
Even though Bruce has made his airplane as comfortable as possible, there is one thing he can’t control: the temperature. Oregon’s winters are long and cold. Bruce has found many ways to keep the back of the plane warm. But it can get pretty chilly in the front – even below freezing. Visitors should definitely be prepared for that.
17. Cleaning time
There are few insects and not much dust inside the aircraft because it is pressurized. That is why it is relatively easy to keep it clean. But it needs special cleaning on the outside because the plane is in the middle of the forest and gets covered with leaves and dirt. Bruce needs a pressure washer every two years.
18. Quite normal chores
Bruce’s home is different from a typical house in many ways, that’s for sure. But in some ways, it has a lot in common with our everyday homes. It, too, involves chores like vacuuming and cleaning. Bruce handles it normally, though, so people visiting for the first time feel like they’re in an ordinary house.
19. The entire cost
Bruce purchased the Boeing for $100,000 from Olympic Airways, Athens. This did not include the cost of transportation, disassembly, rewiring and refurbishment. After Bruce was done with all his work, he put more than $220,000 into the plane. But it was worth it, and he fulfilled a dream. Bruce has never regretted his decision.
20. Why he chose a plane?
This Boeing 727 is a totally awesome home to a height of 34 feet and 11 inches and a footprint of 1,066 square feet. According to Bruce, Jetliners are incredibly strong, sturdy and durable. And he points out that they would easily withstand any earthquake or storm. But there’s even more.
21. A unique home
Bruce firmly believes that any old airplane has the great potential to become a unique “aerospace-class castle.” And thus, a perfect home in which to live. According to Bruce, a conventional home is a decrepit family Chevy or Ford, whereas an airplane is a fresh new Tesla or Porsche Carrera.
22. And a unique way of life
Bruce has fulfilled his dream, and he is very proud of his home. He also has his own website called airplanehome.com. There the whole world can see what he has made out of an old airplane and how he lives. One thing you can say for sure about Bruce is that he lives his life in his own unique way.
