[PROJECT MERCURY]. MERCURY PARAGLIDER BLUEPRINT

Paraglider Wing ¼ Scale Model blueprint. Goodyear Aircraft Corporation, Akron, Ohio. June 11, 1961. 36 by 76 inches, folded, ¼ scale and as noted. Large rubber stamp in red which reads: “PRELIMINARY.”

Illustrated is a top view of the paraglider wing with areas “A” through “H” labeled at important structural or end points of the wing. Sub-drawings labeled “AA” through “HH” provide larger to full scale drawings of components including airmats and attachment rings. The airmats were a near tear-drop shaped device to assist maintaining an aerodynamic shape of the leading edge of the wing. Printed notes on this blueprint include: “Make from existing inflataplane (the) ailerons, rudders, and elevators. (Use) 3510 nylon cloth, treat with 1843 C adhesive, hand coat uniformly with 1844 C neoprene cement to coating weight of approx. 1.5 oz/yd.” The Mercury paraglider was a concept for returning the spacecraft to dry land using a triangular shaped inflatable airfoil. This would save the expense of numerous U.S. armed forces ships and aircraft required during an ocean landing. Various engineering problems prevented the paraglider's use in time for the Mercury Program.