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WINGING IT

Ex-RAF engineer builds four-bed caravan pod with kitchen inside his fighter jet ENGINE for just £4,000

A EX-RAF engineer has built a four-bed caravan pod inside a fighter jet engine for just £4,000.

Steve Jones - who served in the Royal Air Force for more than five years - used to repair the same fighter jets going into combat.

Steve Jones built his dream caravan inside an old fighter jet engine
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Steve Jones built his dream caravan inside an old fighter jet engineCredit: Triangle News
The four-bed camper with kitchen was constructed within a VC10 engine
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The four-bed camper with kitchen was constructed within a VC10 engineCredit: Triangle News
Former RAF engineer Steve Jones put the pod together in just three months
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Former RAF engineer Steve Jones put the pod together in just three monthsCredit: Triangle News

Now he has built a four-bed camper in a VC10 engine, complete with a kitchen, for himself and his family to go on holiday.

The 45-year-old put the pod together in just three months, and was featured on the TV show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

Incredible pictures show Steve’s journey building his dream project from scratch.

Steve's creative project cost just £4,000 to complete
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Steve's creative project cost just £4,000 to completeCredit: Triangle News
The entire tiny home - complete with a kitchen - sits inside an old fighter jet engine
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The entire tiny home - complete with a kitchen - sits inside an old fighter jet engineCredit: Triangle News
Steve described his unique project as "a labour of love"
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Steve described his unique project as "a labour of love"Credit: Triangle News
The extraordinary build featured on the TV show George Clarke's Amazing Spaces
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The extraordinary build featured on the TV show George Clarke's Amazing SpacesCredit: Triangle News

Steve said: “It’s been such a labour of love, I’ve put so much time and effort into it.

“Everyone thought I was absolutely crackers for doing this.

“Now I’ve got this completely unique pod, which is the only one of its kind in the world.”

The ex-RAF engineer began working on the caravan in January this year
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The ex-RAF engineer began working on the caravan in January this yearCredit: Triangle News
Steve enlisted the help of engineer pals Ollie Pallet and Mark Wollage
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Steve enlisted the help of engineer pals Ollie Pallet and Mark WollageCredit: Triangle News
Telly presenter George Clarke also helped with the project
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Telly presenter George Clarke also helped with the projectCredit: Triangle News
The group transformed the disused engine into a family holiday home
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The group transformed the disused engine into a family holiday homeCredit: Triangle News

Steve left the RAF in 2000, after five-and-half years service engineering planes at the key base of Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

He had actually worked on VC10 aircraft, and admitted he “always loved the jet”.

In 2013, Steve and a couple of pals fixed a decommissioned RAF plane, and got it back into working order.

And the idea for the engine caravan pod began to germinate in Steve’s mind.

“I’ll have a go at doing anything,” he laughed. “The weirder, the wackier, the better.”

The four-metre-long caravan pod has four beds - perfect for the family
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The four-metre-long caravan pod has four beds - perfect for the familyCredit: Triangle News
It features a kitchen to make food and drinks on the road
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It features a kitchen to make food and drinks on the roadCredit: Triangle News
The side door opens up so the family can enjoy the view
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The side door opens up so the family can enjoy the viewCredit: Triangle News
Steve and his family will be able to see out of the old engine hole
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Steve and his family will be able to see out of the old engine holeCredit: Triangle News

Steve, from Lancs, finally got the engine last year, and got to work on his dream project.

He drew up the plans - to create a double bed at the base with two bunk beds above - and built the pod from January to March this year.

As well as having help from telly presenter George Clarke, Steve’s VC10 engineer pals Ollie Pallet and Mark Wollage also helped out with the build.

Altogether it cost just £4,000, and the pod even has its own kitchen for Steve to make a brew.

Steve, 45, who used to work on the VC10, said he has "always loved the jet"
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Steve, 45, who used to work on the VC10, said he has "always loved the jet"Credit: Triangle News
Steve, from Lancs, finally got the engine last year and spent three months working on it
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Steve, from Lancs, finally got the engine last year and spent three months working on itCredit: Triangle News
The caravan pod is just big enough for Steve, wife Charlotte, 39, and sons Daniel, nine, and Benjamin, seven
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The caravan pod is just big enough for Steve, wife Charlotte, 39, and sons Daniel, nine, and Benjamin, sevenCredit: Triangle News
The family hope to go on their first trip with the caravan later this year
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The family hope to go on their first trip with the caravan later this yearCredit: Triangle News

It is four metres long inside, and Steve and his family will be able to see out of the old engine hole.

He is aiming to have a first trip with wife Charlotte, 39, and sons Daniel, nine, and Benjamin, seven, later this year.

After the Channel 4 programme, Steve has had interest from all over the world with plane buffs keen to buy the caravan.

One person even offered him £25,000 - but for now, it is not for sale.

He said: “It’s gone crazy, I’ve had so many people get in contact who want to see it or buy it.

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“I’ve had around five million views of the photos online.

“At the moment I’ve got no aspiration to sell it, as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do for myself.”

Steve said his photos of the build have been viewed by more than five million people
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Steve said his photos of the build have been viewed by more than five million people Credit: Triangle News
Plane buffs worldwide have messaged Steve about the custom caravan
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Plane buffs worldwide have messaged Steve about the custom caravanCredit: Triangle News
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