Buses, small homes, and shipping containers have become popular choices for creative housing, offering comfort at a lower cost with plenty of customization. However, Jo Ann Ussery took this concept to the next level long before it was trendy. She purchased a retired Boeing 727 and transformed it into a luxurious home.
The journey began in 1993, when Ussery’s house in Benoit, Mississippi, was destroyed. Having recently lost her husband, she was left with two children and limited financial resources. Initially, she thought a trailer would be a good solution, but quickly realized she couldn’t afford a house big enough for her family. That’s when her brother-in-law, Bob, an air traffic controller, suggested they live in an airplane.
Intrigued, Ussery went to inspect a Boeing 727 that was scheduled to be dismantled for parts. She immediately fell in love with it, and the plane, including shipping, cost only $2,000. Ussery named the aircraft “Little Trump,” inspired by Donald Trump’s own Boeing 727. She soon embarked on a challenging and expensive renovation project.
The total cost of the transformation was under $30,000 (equivalent to about $60,000 today). She had to ensure the plane stayed securely in place while working on the interior, so she positioned it over a lake on her property, with the nose pointing toward the water. To secure the tail, a significant amount of concrete was used. Then she began to gut the 1,500-square-foot interior.
While the plane’s windows couldn’t open, as typical for commercial aircraft, Ussery didn’t mind because she installed air conditioning. She upgraded the insulation, laid new flooring, and made a series of other improvements. After the major renovations, Ussery focused on adding personal touches and extra comforts. The finished plane featured three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and even a laundry room.