Today, we’re celebrating the 1964 debut of the Boeing 727, an iconic trijet that left an indelible mark in aviation history. While most of us may simply cherish the memories of this legendary aircraft, one man has taken his love for the 727 to an entirely new level. Meet Bruce Campbell, a 73-year-old electrical engineer from Portland, Oregon, who has turned a decommissioned Boeing 727 into his unique home.
For Campbell, living inside an aircraft has been a lifelong dream. This dream took flight after he saw footage of an airplane boneyard on television. His journey to transform this dream into reality was far from smooth. In 1999, he enlisted the help of a salvage company to acquire a retired aircraft fuselage. Reflecting on this unconventional approach, Campbell offers sage advice to anyone considering a similar endeavor.
The salvage company eventually tracked down a Boeing 727-200, which had once flown under the Olympic Airways banner in Greece. This particular aircraft had a storied history, making 43 flights for the airline and later transporting the remains of shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis following his passing in 1975.
Bruce Campbell secured this unique piece of aviation history for $100,000. Remarkably, the 727 was still in airworthy condition. It was flown to Oregon and towed to Campbell’s ten-acre plot of land just outside Hillsboro, a Portland suburb. His dream is for more retired aircraft to find meaningful second lives.
Despite his grounded lifestyle, Campbell is no stranger to air travel. He frequently journeys to Japan, where he spends a significant portion of his time. He is actively seeking similar accommodations on his travels, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable living.
If you ever find yourself in Portland and are curious about what it’s like to live in an airplane, Bruce Campbell welcomes visitors. He offers tours of his unique home, asking guests to remove their shoes and providing them with slippers, just as a courteous flight attendant would. Inside the modified 727, you’ll find a workstation where Campbell dedicates his time to restoring old computer systems.
For those wondering about the cost of living in a decommissioned, de-engined 727, it’s surprisingly affordable. Campbell estimates a monthly expense of around $370, which includes $220 in property taxes and an additional $100 to $250 for electricity.
Bruce Campbell is not alone in embracing a jet-setting yet sustainable lifestyle. In California, a house has been constructed using the wings of a retired Boeing 747. In Mississippi, a woman named Jo embarked on her own Continental Airlines 727 renovation project, complete with a bathtub in the former flight deck. And in Costa Rica, a 727 has been ingeniously repurposed as a hotel nestled in the jungle. These tales of creativity and sustainability are a testament to the enduring allure of aviation.
