Derbyshire Man Buries Boeing 737 to Create Ultimate Underground Bunker
How does one landscape a garden situated on an old army camp? For Dave Billings, a 44-year-old from Derbyshire, the answer involves burying a full-sized Boeing 737 aircraft rather than planting traditional flowerbeds. This extraordinary project transforms his property into something reminiscent of a Cold War thriller, expanding an existing underground network that already connects to his house.
From Facebook Marketplace to Underground Labyrinth
Dave purchased the Boeing 737 for just £4,000 after spotting an advertisement on Facebook Marketplace. What followed was a complex logistical operation to transport the massive aircraft from the field where it had been abandoned. With the assistance of friends, he loaded the plane onto a lorry and drove it back to his yard, marking the beginning of an ambitious transformation.
The real work began once the aircraft was in place. Dave has already cut off the back section and plans to bury the entire fuselage 14 feet underground. This buried plane will be linked to his pre-existing bunker system, which he previously created by converting an old wartime well into an underground shelter accessed via steps.
Preserving Authentic Aircraft Features
Inside the buried Boeing, Dave is determined to maintain authentic aircraft functionality. "I want the aircraft toilet to work as it does on a plane," he told the Daily Mail. "People think it only works because of altitude, but it actually uses a vacuum pump at ground level - so I’m going to make that function properly and have the toilet working as it should."
He also plans to install ovens fitted into the original galley-style shelving compartments and retain authentic trim in the rear section around the toilet and kitchen area. This careful preservation means part of the interior will still feel unmistakably like a passenger jet, complete with working amenities rarely seen in underground shelters.
Military Aesthetic and Practical Design
Beyond the preserved aircraft section, the aesthetic changes dramatically. Dave has stripped out the insulation to expose the aircraft’s ribs and internal structure, which he intends to paint military-style light green. "Once you come past the toilet, it’s going to look more like a military plane, with all the ribs showing so it looks quite industrial," he explained.
The entrance is being designed for maximum impact. Dave hopes to install an airport-style corridor tunnel sealed to the side of the plane, creating the illusion of walking through a boarding bridge before reaching the aircraft door. At the opposite end, he plans to add a lift for accessibility and transporting supplies underground.
Emergency Preparedness and Family Adventure
While the project is primarily for enjoyment, Dave is building it to function in genuine emergencies. With sufficient concrete reinforcement, he believes the bunker could withstand fallout within a 10-mile radius of a nuclear blast, providing shelter until radiation levels decrease. He plans to fit:
- Bunks for sleeping accommodation
- Substantial storage areas
- A fully working kitchen
- Essential facilities for several days underground
Emergency power remains one key element still to be finalized, but Dave notes the structure already incorporates many essential features for survival scenarios.
Funding and Completion Timeline
The entire project is funded through revenue from Dave's social media channels - Tornado Dave on YouTube and @tornado__dave on TikTok - with all earnings reinvested into the build. While initial estimates suggested costs around £15,000, Dave now expects the final price to approach £25,000 as growing support allows for upgraded elements.
By trade, Dave works in fabrication, tackling complex engineering projects as hobbies during his spare time. He hopes to complete the buried Boeing by the end of the year, with his wife being "very understanding" provided he finishes other household jobs first.
Ultimately, the project serves as an extraordinary adventure for his son. "He’s loving it," Dave said. "It’s the best adventure ever for him." From a £4,000 Facebook Marketplace find to an underground survival shelter with working aircraft features, this Boeing 737 transformation represents one of Britain's most unusual home improvement projects.
