Transforming a Jet Engine into a Unique Four-Bed Holiday Home

Exploring the Unique VC10 Caravan Pod

Across the globe, there are numerous distinctive caravans and pods; however, few compare to the one constructed within the engine of a defunct jet. This article encapsulates the ingenuity behind this remarkable project.

The Visionary Behind the Caravan Pod

The VC10 caravan pod was meticulously crafted by Steve Jones, an ex-RAF aircraft engineer residing in Lancashire. With a passion for aircraft that began over twenty years ago, Steve explained how he had the opportunity to work with decommissioned VC10s at an aviation museum in Leicester. Consequently, this ignited his ambition to transform one of the aircraft’s nacelles into a cozy caravan pod.

A picture of the nacelles being loaded up ready to be carried to Steve's home
It’s not the first time Steve Jones takes up a project of this kind, but he said this was by far the most difficult he has ever worked on © Steven Jones

Transforming the Nacelle into a Functional Living Space

When the opportunity arose to acquire a pair of VC10 nacelles, Steve eagerly embarked on the journey of converting one into a comfortable pod. His initial step involved splitting the nacelle to utilize the outboard unit. Following this, he meticulously stripped it of wires and gears, reinforced it with plywood, and incorporated furniture and appliances to render it liveable. In total, Steve dedicated approximately 1000 hours to this intricate project, completing it between January and March 2020.

A picture of the living room of the pod with the benches that can convert into beds
The pod’s living room turns into a double bed and two berths, allowing for four people to sleep inside © Steven Jones

Features and Future Plans

The completed pod spans 13 feet in length and is equipped with two doors for ease of access, a compact kitchenette, a skylight for natural light, and a versatile living area that comfortably accommodates four berths. Although Steve and his family have yet to enjoy a weekend getaway due to the ongoing pandemic, they are optimistically planning to utilize the pod in mid-2022.

A picture of the kitchenette corner in the pod
Steve said that he’s now purchased the first eight meters of a Boeing 737 that he plans to turn into a mobile home for a new exciting project

To explore more about this imaginative project and see additional pictures of the caravan pod, visit its Facebook page here.

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