CAPSULE MERCURY (2 AND 4 WINDOW RED VERSIONS) - HORIKAWA - JAPAN

Red lithographed in friction space capsule with white and silver detailing. The capsule has irregular shaped windows through which can be seen a tin astronaut. As the capsule moves the astronaut rotates to simulate weightlessness. Red plastic nose cone. Hook attachment at the front. "Astronaut in Orbital Flight"

The red version is the more common one and comes with a relatively plain box depicting the capsule on a white background.

There are two versions of this red capsule. One, possibly the first, has four windows an extra lower pair (middle picture) . A second version has just windows and a Friendship 7 logo occupies the place of the lower pair. (bottom picture) Friendship 7 was the Mercury capsule used by John Glenn on his first orbit of the Earth in February.

Both versions have been dated to 1962.