Buses, small houses, and shipping containers have all seen a surge in appeal as potential building materials for one-of-a-kind dwellings.
These alternatives to standard lodgings offer the same level of comfort at a fraction of the price and with a wide range of personalization options.
But Jo Ann Ussery made her own unique house long before it was cool.
She bought a decommissioned Boeing 727 and transformed it into a lavish mansion.
(video of the plane can be found below)
One-of-a-kind housing
In 1993, Ussery’s home in Benoit, Mississippi was destroyed, marking the beginning of her journey.
Her husband had recently passed away, so she and her two kids needed a place to live but had very little money.
She had hoped that getting a trailer would solve all of her issues, but she soon discovered that she couldn’t afford a house that was big enough to accommodate her family of three.
Ussery’s brother-in-law, Bob, is an air traffic controller and proposed that they try living on an airplane.
Ussery was receptive to the concept, so he went to examine a Boeing 727 that was about to be broken up for parts.
She fell in love at first sight, and the price, including shipping, was only $2,000.
Ussery gave her Boeing 727 the moniker “Little Trump” after learning that Donald Trump also had a private Boeing 727.
She jumped right into her expensive and time-consuming home improvements.
Major refurbishment
She put in less than $30,000 (around $60,000 in today’s money) on the makeover.
She needed to make sure it stayed put in its current location while she worked on the inside.
Ussery made use of the lake that was already present on her property by parking the plane such that the nose pointed out over the water. Because of this particular reason, a substantial amount of concrete was used to secure the tail. She then started demolishing the nearly 1,500 square foot interior.
The plane measures 138 feet in length and has 76 windows.
The windows did not open, as is standard on commercial planes, but that was not a problem on the Ussery because the plane was equipped with air conditioning.
She upgraded the insulation and laid new flooring as well. What exactly from the original 727 has been preserved?
Having only one airplane lavatory and the overhead bins to store your belongings is a brilliant answer to the problem of limited space.
Interior features
Ussery was able to move on to the finer touches and extra comforts after the major renovations were finished.
There were three bedrooms, a living area, a kitchen, and even a laundry room in the updated plane.
It also had an oven and a phone in addition to the washer and dryer.
What Ussery did with the cockpit looking out over the lake was unquestionably the best improvement.
She renovated it into a master bathroom fit for a king, complete with a soaking tub.
She planned the room’s layout so that its occupants would feel as though they were floating in midair.
Most notably, Ussery did all the remodeling work by herself.
Between 1995 until 1999, she called her converted jet home before deciding to open it to the world as a museum.
It was being transported a short distance when it tragically fell off the carriage and was destroyed.
It’s a good thing we have these breathtaking snapshots below:
“At 91 years old, she remains incredible. This actress stays active and refuses to back down.”
Carol Burnett, a legendary American actress and comedian, is widely recognized for her trailblazing comedy-variety series, The Carol Burnett Show, which aired from 1967 to 1978.
Now at the age of 91, Burnett continues to enchant viewers through her role in the Apple TV+ series Palm Royale, a drama set in Palm Beach, Florida, in 1969. Born on April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, Burnett was raised by her grandmother following her parents’ separation.
In the 1940s, her family relocated to Hollywood, where Burnett pursued her studies in theatre at the University of Southern California. She gained fame in 1957 on The Ed Sullivan Show with a comedic number that humorously captured young women’s infatuation with heartthrob Elvis Presley, catapulting her to stardom.
Decades of Unforgettable Performances
In addition to her iconic television series, Burnett has given outstanding performances in films, musicals, and Broadway productions.
Her Broadway repertoire includes Love Letters (2014), Hollywood Arms (2002), Putting It Together (1999), Moon Over Buffalo (1995), Fade Out – Fade In (1964), and Once Upon a Mattress (1959). On the big screen, she appeared in films like Pete ‘n’ Tillie (1972), The Front Page (1974), and The Four Seasons (1981), among many others, each role highlighting her remarkable talent and versatility.
Carol Burnett’s lasting charm stems from her capacity to adapt and resonate with audiences through the years. From her beginnings on The Ed Sullivan Show to her recent performance in Palm Royale, Burnett remains a cherished icon in the entertainment industry, affirming that her legendary status is truly warranted.
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