Derbyshire Engineer Constructs Underground Boeing 737 Bunker Amid Global Tensions
In a remarkable display of preparedness and creativity, a man from Hilton, Derbyshire, is investing £70,000 to build two underground bunkers, with the latest project involving burying a Boeing 737 fuselage in his garden. Dave Billings, 44, initially constructed a £50,000 bunker over a decade ago but has now embarked on a £20,000 upgrade, purchasing a scrapped BMIBaby aircraft fuselage from Facebook Marketplace in December 2025 for £4,000.
From Basement Shelter to Aviation-Inspired Hideout
Dave's first bunker, which he describes as a 'basement,' has been stocked with essentials like beer, rations, a toilet, and a bed. However, feeling the need for enhanced protection, he acquired the 737 fuselage to create an adjoining second bunker. He estimates that by Autumn this year, it will be fully buried and functional, capable of shielding him from blasts up to 10 miles away. The project includes restoring the plane's kitchen and toilet, adding sofas, bunk beds, and even a flight simulator with a recreated cockpit.
Dave explained his motivation: 'I don't understand why this thing with Iran has just happened, but war seems to be very fashionable at the moment. Whatever happens, the best thing you can do is be prepared.' He believes World War 3 is inevitable, though he doesn't anticipate the Iran conflict reaching the UK soon.
Dual-Purpose Design: Survival Shelter and Entertainment Space
Unlike typical 'preppers,' Dave emphasizes fun and functionality. If not needed as a fallout shelter, he plans to convert the bunker into a bar or party room themed around a fallout shelter, complete with amenities to prevent boredom. 'I'm still building this for fun at the moment. If I were a prepper, I'd be stopping everything else to get on with it,' he said. The bunker will be stocked with barrels for the bar, cans to mitigate aging, and three to six months' worth of food.
Additional costs include £8,000 for concrete, £3,000 for mesh, and £2,000 for insulation to ensure the structure withstands external pressure and condensation. Dave, who works full-time as an engineer, dedicates 50% of his free time to the project, with his 7-year-old son Oliver handling the decoration.
Technical Challenges and Public Showcases
To make the bunker fully operational, Dave must address ventilation, water supply, and electricity, for which he has purchased a Ram Air Turbine generator. Currently, the ground is too wet for burial, so he plans to present the fuselage at the NEC in May for Maker's Central, a showcase of inventions, and give a talk at his son's school.
Reflecting on global politics, Dave admitted, 'I have no idea about politics, but I don't think it's necessarily Trump, these things just come out of the blue so quickly.' He remains focused on creating his own 'little world' in Derbyshire, where he feels safe from potential conflicts.
