A very rare precision model from NASA / Langley of Project Mercury Space Capsule (1958-63). This piece is in very nice condition and shows normal wear. The piece consists of three pieces : Capsule, Booster Rocket, and escape tower. A historic piece of early NASA spacecraft design that doesn’t come around very often. Most likely very few of these were made and the last one to come up for auction was sold at Bonhams in 2009 (picture shown for reference) . This model does not come with the wooden case. Measures 12.5” H with a 3” wooden base

See auction copy below for reference:

Model of the Mercury spacecraft, stainless steel and brass, 12½ inches tall. Includes the escape tower rocket assembly, with four rocket nozzles attached to the base of the rocket casing. The escape tower lattice structure seemingly brass painted black. The entire escape rocket assembly attaches to the spacecraft's top section with metal studs. 3-inch circular wood base…

This model most likely was made by the same team of machinists who milled stainless steel Mercury spacecraft wind tunnel models for tests at the NASA-Langley Research center during the late 1950s and early 1960s.