Dave Billings, a 45-year-old engineer from Derbyshire, England, has undertaken an ambitious project to transform a Boeing 737-500 fuselage into an underground war bunker and party space. The three-ton aircraft shell was acquired on Facebook for approximately £4,000 (about $5,364 USD) and has been lowered into a 14-foot-deep hole in Billings' backyard. This unique structure will be integrated with a nuclear bunker he has been constructing beneath his property.
The project, which has already incurred costs of at least £50,000 (approximately $67,053 USD), features a network of tunnels, secret rooms, and hidden entrances. Billings envisions the bunker as a functional space capable of supporting his family off-grid for extended periods, drawing inspiration from the film "The Great Escape."
A lift shaft, concealed within a traditional red phone box, is planned to provide access to the buried aircraft. Billings stated that his eight-year-old son, Oliver, who is passionate about aviation, was a key inspiration for the project. While his wife, Beth, was initially skeptical, she is reportedly coming to appreciate the endeavor.
"It's primarily a fun thing to have and a place for us to have parties and relax but it could be made into a fall out shelter," Billings said. "The whole thing will be buried under concrete and soil so the top will be around two-and-a-half feet underground."
The bunker is designed with provisions for electricity and water, including solar panels on the surface and a borehole water supply. The aircraft's original toilet will be repurposed and connected to the property's septic tank, and a dedicated ventilation system is being installed. Billings estimates that with sufficient supplies, the bunker could sustain occupants for several months.
Despite its potential as a survival shelter, Billings emphasizes that the project's primary purpose is for enjoyment. He plans to complete the construction by February, aiming to finish before his tenth wedding anniversary. He also intends to seek retrospective planning permission for the structure. The fuselage purchase was made with friends in December 2025, and additional costs for concrete, reinforcing mesh, and insulation are estimated to be around £13,000 (approximately $17,415 USD).
Billings has been documenting the progress of this unusual construction on his YouTube channel, "Tornado Dave."