British Engineer Buries Purchased Boeing 737 in Backyard to Create Underground War Bunker and Bar

POLICY WIRE — Derbyshire, UK — A 45-year-old engineer named Dave Billings has successfully lowered a decommissioned aircraft fuselage into a massive hole in his garden, intending to convert the vessel into a subterranean refuge and entertainment space.

The three-ton shell of the bmaby Boeing 737-500 was acquired via Facebook for approximately £4,000 (roughly $5,364). It is currently being integrated into a 14-foot-deep excavation located at Billings’ property in Hilton.

The jet serves as a centerpiece of an expansive nuclear bunker that Billings has been constructing for several years. Drawing inspiration from the classic film The Great Escape, the project has already required an investment exceeding £50,000 ($67,053) and features a complex network of secret entrances, hidden rooms, and tunnels.

Billings believes the facility could allow his family to survive off-grid for several months in the event of global conflict. Recent footage captured a team of assistants winching the massive aircraft body into the earth last month.

Future plans for the site include a hidden elevator shaft disguised as a traditional red telephone box to provide guests access to the buried plane interior.

The engineer noted that the project was sparked by his eight-year-old son Oliver, who has a deep interest in aviation. While his wife, Beth, was initially skeptical of the purchase, she has since become supportive of the vision.

Billings explained that Beth originally questioned the expense on what she viewed as junk, but she is now fully on board. He stated that while the the space is primarily intended for relaxation and hosting parties, it functions as a viable fallout shelter.

The entire structure will be encased in soil and concrete, leaving the roof approximately two and a half feet below the ground surface. To ensure independence, the bunker will feature electricity and water, supplemented by solar panels and a private borehole for the water supply.

Internal modifications include the aircraft’s original toilet being converted into a functional facility linked to the home’s septic tank. The unit will also be equipped with a dedicated ventilation system.

Billings remarked that depending on their food stores, the family could remain self-sufficient underground for a significant duration if circumstances required.

Despite the survivalist capabilities, Billings emphasized that the primary motivation is enjoyment. He stated he is currently building the structure for fun and noted that if he were a dedicated prepper, he would be prioritizing it above all else.

He added that he pursues these projects because he finds them interesting, noting that this specific build has a functional purpose. While he claims he could accelerate construction if global tensions escalate, he does not believe the Derbyshire Dales would be a target of bombardment.

Billings purchased the stripped fuselage in December with friends and estimates an additional £8,000 for concrete, £3,000 for reinforcing mesh, and £2,000 for insulation before the plane is secured.

These figures do not include the food and beverages he intends to stock for three to six months. Billings documents the progress on his YouTube channel, Tornado Dave, aiming to complete the project by February to coincide with his tenth wedding anniversary. He also intends to seek retrospective planning permission for the build.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)em>