Army "Choppa" Was Turned Into a Cozy Tiny Home Rental With Jaw-Dropping OG Features

We've talked about helicopters turned into tiny homes here on autoevolution before – check out this 1982 Lynx helicopter conversion.

As much as I would've liked to see it, this helicopter can't operate anymore. The only attempt at creating a fully functioning flying RV was made a while back by Winnebago. Introduced in the 70s, the Heli-Camper could accommodate six people in 115 square feet (10.7 square meters) of living space. I won't get into too much detail - check out the article about it for more info.

The tiny home we're checking out today is named "Galahad" - it's a Westland Wessex XT469, an original 1965 Falklands rescue helicopter. Moreover, it was actually used in the Falklands War. Long story short, Argentina invaded the Falklands Islands in 1982, which was (and still is) an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The UK fought back, and 74 days later, Argentina surrendered.

Anyway, this chopper actually took part in the action. What's more, many of the original dials and wires were kept, giving you an authentic experience inside.

When you first lay eyes on this beast, you might be taken aback by its sheer size. Check out the photo above to see how small a 6-foot man looks beside it - it's around 13-14 feet (4-4.2 meters) high.

Despite its size, the owners added two extensions near the helicopter to be able to accommodate additional people. Furthermore, the aircraft receives fresh paint every year to maintain its look.

Let's start the tour with the extension on the left side – it's an Airstream trailer (or at least one similar to an Airstream) painted in the same theme as the helicopter. Step inside, and you'll discover the kitchen.

It features a large stainless steel sink, a table, a fridge, a bunch of counter space, and a two-burner stove with an oven underneath. Moreover, the trailer was insulated to keep you nice and warm. One notable detail is a sheet of paper with the entire history of the helicopter, including the operation it took part in and where it flew.

Dead ahead from the entrance, you'll discover the bathroom. It's a compact space, but it integrates a tiny sink, a toilet, and even a bidet. If you want to shower, you'll need to use an outdoor facility. On the ceiling, you'll notice multiple pictures of the helicopter when it was in use.

You'll have to walk through a hallway to get to the helicopter. On the sides, there are additional photos of the aircraft. By the way, besides keeping the original elements, the owners stayed true to the theme by adding various details, such as military-style lights.

Step inside the central part of the helicopter, and you'll be in the living room. It has a long sofa with storage underneath. But the best part is you get to see all the original writing kept in the original frame.

On the right side, you'll find the first bedroom – it's located toward the helicopter's tail, where the body starts to narrow down. A bed fit for a single person occupies the entire width of the space, and there are also two round windows and a tiny mirror.

Instead of a headboard, you'll notice a door with "Parachute Storage" written on it – open it, and you'll see how the space narrows down to the tail's end. Overall, this bedroom is more suitable to be used to accommodate a child.

Walk toward the opposite side, and you'll be in the space that leads to the cockpit. So many wires and switches are integrated into the frame – some of the switches were repurposed to turn lights on and off.

You get an electric heater in this room in case it gets too cold inside. Moreover, you'll have to watch out not to hit your head on the ceiling (as many signs inside warn you), as the interior height is about 6 feet (1.82 meters).

The highlight of this tiny home is definitely the cockpit, which was kept intact. To get up there, you can climb onto small ladders. I can't imagine how scary it would've been to start this bad boy up, and everything would start vibrating.

The cockpit comes with two fold-down seats. You'll find the original yokes, yokes, and dials – it's such a time capsule.

Two windows on the sides can be opened, and you can exit through them using fold-down steps on the exterior. What's more, the pilots wore waterproof gear back in the day as the rain somehow came into the cockpit. As a sign in the cockpit says, 60 years later, the rain still leaks inside.

The final part of this tiny home is a double bedroom. It has a mirror, a storage chest, and a double bed with a huge skylight. The latter offers the perfect spot to stargaze, especially since the helicopter is parked near a relatively small town, meaning there isn't a lot of light pollution. Moreover, you can pull a cover over it once you're ready to go to sleep, and the room becomes fully blacked out.

All in all, this is a genuinely distinctive conversion. It's cozy, has the proper amenities of a tiny home, and offers a rare glimpse into history. The best part is that this home is available to book for a stay. You'll find it near Newport, UK, on the Isle of Wight, the largest island in England.

Prices vary between £475 ($597) for 1-2 people in the low season up to £725 ($912) for 3-4 people in the high season. By the way, all the onsite facilities are included in the price. You can find out more about the vacation rental, its prices, and how to book it on its official website.