Flemish cameraman and actor Norman Baert from Asse (Flemish Brabant) has purchased an airplane fuselage to convert it into a bed and breakfast offering accommodation. The airplane has now been completely dismantled and was yesterday installed in Baert's hanger in an old metal-processing factory in Jauche, a village in the neighbouring province of Walloon Brabant. Norman hopes to welcome his first guests during the Easter holidays next year.
It is a boyhood dream come true for Norman Baert from Asse. The cameraman and actor, who has worked on dozens of television series was recently able to acquire an airplane to convert it into a B&B.
‘I have many dreams and have already been able to realise a few of them, but now I can tick another one off my list,’ he says. "About 20 years ago, I bought an old metal factory to store a few classic cars. Last year, I came up with the idea of converting the old shed into a B&B."
Norman's first idea was to put two converted containers and a British bus into the warehouse so that people could spend the night. ‘But I didn't think that was original enough. Suddenly I hit on the idea of an airplane. I've always been fascinated by airplanes. And so the search for a plane began.’
Historic Caravelle
That search took Norman to the Netherlands, to PS Aero in Baarlo, a company that sells helicopters and airplanes. "And there I saw a “Caravelle”, a twin-engine jet airplane from 1958. I was immediately won over by the idea, but I had to think carefully: could the airplane, which is 32 metres long and 8.6 metres high, fit into my hangar?"
"But I was so crazy about the idea that I absolutely had to have the plane, so I bought it. Over the past three to four months, I had the hangar renovated to accommodate the airplane. In the meantime, the aircraft was also dismantled, with the wings and cockpit removed, leaving only the fuselage. Everything went according to plan, and as of today, the fuselage is finally in my hangar."
Interior design by an expert
Now everything inside the fuselage still needs to be furnished. Norman will be assisted in this by art director Kurt Rigolle, who has designed many Flemish film sets. ‘He too is fascinated by airplanes. He has a whole collection from Sabena, the former Belgian flag carrier. So I'm delighted that he wants to help me.’
Norman hopes to welcome his first paying customers next Easter.