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Douglas Aircraft

ITHACUS

*Kit Producer: Fantastic Plastic Models

*Kit Scale: 1:288

*Kit Materials: Resin

*Number of Pieces: 30

*Kit Price: $125.00

*Shipping Amount: $15.00 domestic/Canada, $25.00 international

*Shipping: Worldwide

*Kit Availability Date: NOW

*Payment Methods: PayPal, Check, MO

*PayPal E-Mail Address: FantasticPlast@aol.com.

*Kit URL : https://fantastic-plastic.com/IthacusSSTOCatalogPage.htm

*Kit Description:
The ITHACUS was Douglas Aircraft’s proposed Vertical Take-Off/Vertical Landing (VTVL) Single-Stage-to-Orbit (SSTO) military troop transport. Based on the earlier ROMBUS plug-nozzle concept by Phillip Bono, the craft’s mission was to transport a battalion-sized contingent of U.S. Marines (1,200 troops) anywhere in the world within 90 minutes. The 6,400-metric-ton vehicle, sometimes known as the “ITHACUS SR.,” would be launched via eight hydrogen-filled drop tanks that helped power a ring of inboard rocket engines, plus two side-mounted solid rocket boosters. The ITHACUS” underside would serve as a heat-shield for re-entry; it would land vertically at its target atop four extendable legs.

A smaller 260-troop version, the “ITHACUS, JR.,,” was also proposed for launching off Enterprise-class aircraft carriers.

MORE HISTORICAL TRIVIA: Douglas’ civilian version of this craft, the “ICARUS,” was used for the exterior spacecraft shots in the “Mission to Mars” simulation ride at Disneyland (1975-1992) and Walt Disney World (1975-1993). It was shown on the launch pad on the video display screens during the audio-animatronic “Mission Control” pre-show..