Campsite owner spends £30k converting disused Royal Navy chopper into two-bedroom let

  • Stewart Dungey, who runs a campsite in the Isle of Wight, has converted Cold War Westland Wessex chopper
  • The cockpit of the 1965 aircraft remains untouched and looks out onto a picturesque valley famed for sunsets 
  • Dungey has called the heli-pad Galahad after the ship RFA Sir Galahad, which was sunk during the Falklands War

Quirky campsite owner Stewart Dungey is hoping his new venture takes off - after turning a decommissioned Royal Navy helicopter into a self-catering holiday let.

Stewart has spent £30,000 buying, transporting and converting the Cold War Westland Wessex chopper.

The inside was stripped back to a shell and installed with two double bedrooms and living space.

Stewart Dungey has spent £30,000 buying, transporting and converting the Cold War Westland Wessex chopper

Stewart Dungey has spent £30,000 buying, transporting and converting the Cold War Westland Wessex chopper

A small outbuilding attached to the main doorway of the helicopter houses a kitchen and toilet area

A small outbuilding attached to the main doorway of the helicopter houses a kitchen and toilet area

The inside of the disused chopper was stripped back to a shell and installed with two double bedrooms and living space

The inside of the disused chopper was stripped back to a shell and installed with two double bedrooms and living space

He built a small outbuilding housing a kitchen and toilet area and attached it to the main doorway.

The cockpit of the 1965 aircraft, meanwhile, remains untouched and looks out onto a picturesque valley. It's perfect for watching sunsets.

The new heli-pad has opened for business at Stewart's Windmill Campersite on the Isle of Wight.

It joins two shepherds' huts and camper pods as the unconventional glamping accommodation Stewart is offering.

The new heli-pad has opened for business at Stewart's Windmill Campersite on the Isle of Wight

The new heli-pad has opened for business at Stewart's Windmill Campersite on the Isle of Wight

The cockpit of the 1965 aircraft remains untouched and looks out onto a picturesque valley - perfect for watching sunsets (and there's even a holder for champagne and glasses)

The cockpit of the 1965 aircraft remains untouched and looks out onto a picturesque valley - perfect for watching sunsets (and there's even a holder for champagne and glasses)

Stewart Dungey is hoping his new venture takes off. He said that he spotted the helicopter at 4am on eBay

Stewart Dungey is hoping his new venture takes off. He said that he spotted the helicopter at 4am on eBay

He has affectionately called the heli-pad Galahad after the ship RFA Sir Galahad, which was sunk during the Falklands War - a conflict the aircraft served in.

Stewart, 61, said: 'I was on the lookout for one more pod to complete the set and saw this old helicopter at four o'clock in the morning on eBay.

'After I won it I had to get it from Blackpool to the island.

'It was placed on the back of a lorry and then had to go on a late night Red Funnel ferry service when there was plenty of room for it.

The 61-year-old owner spent around £30,000 converting the disused helicopter into a glamping accommodation option
The 61-year-old owner spent around £30,000 converting the disused helicopter into a glamping accommodation option

The 61-year-old owner spent around £30,000 converting the disused helicopter into a glamping accommodation option

The chopper had to be brought down to the Isle of Wight from Blackpool on the back of a lorry and then on a late night Red Funnel ferry service. Pictured is the living room area

The chopper had to be brought down to the Isle of Wight from Blackpool on the back of a lorry and then on a late night Red Funnel ferry service. Pictured is the living room area

Despite spending thousands on the conversion, Dungey has maintained many original features, including this 'brace brace ' warning

Despite spending thousands on the conversion, Dungey has maintained many original features, including this 'brace brace ' warning

'All-in-all it has cost about £30,000. I have tried to keep the conversion as original as possible.

'You enter through the back to the main helicopter where there is a mini-bedroom with a fitted foam mattress which can accommodate two small children.

'It then leads you into an American caravan style layout with stainless steel units with gas hob, triple sink, oven, microwave, fridge and table and chairs.

'Off the kitchen there is a small cloakroom with a toilet and hand basin and bidet.

'The main double bedroom is situated off the main 'copter' and has a 'cockpit dome' above for star gazing.'

Stewart is charged £395 for a long weekend stay or a Monday to Friday break in the helicopter.

This plaque still remains inside the chopper, giving customers a glimpse into its former life in the Royal Navy

This plaque still remains inside the chopper, giving customers a glimpse into its former life in the Royal Navy

Stewart Dungey is charged £395 for a long weekend stay or a Monday to Friday break in the helicopter.
Stewart Dungey is charged £395 for a long weekend stay or a Monday to Friday break in the helicopter.

Stewart Dungey is charging £395 for a long weekend stay or a Monday to Friday break in the helicopter. Left shows the original cockpit, and right, an easy way to light up the inside

Toasting his purchase: The helicopter joins two shepherds' huts and camper pods as the unconventional glamping accommodation Dungey offers

Toasting his purchase: The helicopter joins two shepherds' huts and camper pods as the unconventional glamping accommodation Dungey offers

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