Discover the Fascinating Transformation of a Retired Plane in Oregon!
Ever wondered what happens to aircraft after they’re retired? Usually, they are disassembled and sold for scrap. However, there’s an incredible story of an Olympic Airways plane that was saved from this fate and given a fresh start! Let’s dive into the details.
Meet Bruce Campbell, a fired engineer with a passion for rescuing decommissioned planes from becoming salvaged material. In 2009, he purchased an Olympic Airways plane and took a bold step to transport it to ten acres of his forest land in Oregon. His mission? To give the aircraft a magical new life.
Speaking about his unique endeavor, Campbell stated, “My goal is to change humanity’s behavior in this little niche.”
Unlike a typical retired engineer, Campbell has a different lifestyle. He prefers sleeping on the sofa and hardly ever unfolds it to its full width. His shower is a unique creation—a four-foot PVC sheet cylinder. He collects cans for two months before disposing of them.
When Campbell bought the plane, he had no idea of its historical significance. He later discovered that this very plane had once carried Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, transporting the body of her second spouse, Aristotle Onassis, to his final resting place in 1975.
By comparing online photos to the aircraft’s registration number, Campbell made this surprising revelation. It turned out that the plane had been an integral part of transporting Onassis’s ashes from France to Greece upon his passing.
Olympic Airlines, formerly known as Olympic Airways, was Greece’s primary airline. In 1956, Aristotle Onassis purchased T.A.E., the country’s national airline, and renamed it “Olympic Airways” with the vision of creating a luxury carrier that would astound the world. His ambition was to make it the most advanced airline globally.
However, the company ceased operations on September 29, 2009, and Olympic Air was established as a result of privatization.
While most planes from the airline would have been discarded or left to deteriorate, Campbell saw an opportunity to create something extraordinary. The retired engineer transformed the aircraft into a cozy retirement home in Oregon, with fully functional amenities, including two working toilets, a temporary shower, a restroom, and even a workstation. He went above and beyond by adding a washing machine and a small kitchen for cooking inside the plane.
Campbell’s ingenuity turned what was once destined for destruction into a beautiful and unique dwelling. It’s truly an amazing conversion! Share this extraordinary story with your loved ones to inspire and captivate them with this remarkable transformation.