Gemini Drawings from
National Archives
Michael and Ben Mackowski visited the National
Archive at Ft. Worth, TX on Dec. 11, 2025. We scanned several
drawings and documents. A report and a memo/correspondence were
photocopied. We also took cellphone photos of some drawings. A
single large drawing (52-31001 EO D72814 #11) was scanned by the
staff on their over-sized scanner, and they sent it to use a few
days later.
Ben did the scanning with the overhead scanner,
which was used via our personal laptop. We had to download a
driver/controller, and that kept him busy. While he was doing
that, I sifted through other drawings and used my phone to capture
features that did not require the time needed to scan the entire
drawing. If an item in this list also has a “IMG_XXXX” tag, that
is one of the iPhone images. Some drawings have both scans and
photos.
Generic citation for these items:
Drawing 52-[number], “[Drawing title]”, McDonnell Aircraft Co, St.
Louis, MO, 1962, Box XXX, Project Gemini, NASA Johnson Space
Center History Archive, Entry Number 205D, National Archives, Fort
Worth, TX.
The following is a list of the most interesting files that we obtained. Blue text is the link to the image file.
Observation: Most of the FCNs (Field change notice) are numbered to denote which spacecraft the change applies to. For example, -10M5” has effectivity starting with SC 10.General Assembly
Drawing
52-00001 4M7 General Assembly – Gemini (Field Change Notice)
(IMG_4775) This drawing changes the silk screen markings applied to the windows.
Effectivity SC 4, dated 5/21/65. Note: I have found no evidence of these lines on any photo of flight hardware.
52-00001-5M6 General Assembly – Gemini (Field Change Notice)
(IMG_4768, 69, 70) Add Velcro to instrument panels, foot well, and interior of hatch per astronaut request.
Effectivity SC 5, dated 8/10/65.
52-00001 6M5 Field Change Notice – General Assembly – Gemini
This drawing defines the size and shape of Velcro pads on RCS section. Note edges were sealed with a hot iron process to prevent unraveling. Effectivity for SC 6. Dated 10/8/65 which is odd since EVA for Gemini VI was cancelled in June 1965. Photos of G-6 and G-7 do not show any Velcro patches in this area, so if they ever got installed, they were removed. In later missions there are rounded rectangular patches, not circular ones in this area.
52-00001 7M3 Field Change Notice – General Assembly – Gemini
This drawing defines the silk screen markings (0.015”) applied to the windows. Lines were applied (black silicone paint) on the outside surface of the outer pane and inside surface of the inner pane. Effectivity was for SC 7, dated 11/11/65. Note: I have found no evidence of these lines on any photo of flight hardware.
52-00001-7M7 General Assembly – Gemini (Field Change Notice)
(IMG_4765) This drawing changes the silk screen markings applied to the windows.
This seems to supersede 52-00001-7M3 dated 11/11/65.
Effectivity SC 7, dated 11/30/65.
52-00001 10M5 General Assembly – Gemini (Field Change Notice)
(IMG_4762) Add additional Velcro strap for N2 umbilical line for ELSS EVA use.
Effectivity SC 10, dated 6/27/66.
52-00005 Interior Arrangement “Gemini” Spacecraft (Inboard Profile)
Early version, dated 1/29/62.
(IMG_4781) Lower zones 14-15-16-17. Front view showing landing gear and interior equipment.
(IMG_4782) Upper zones 14-15-16-17. Front view showing crew in seats
(IMG_4783) Upper zones 14-15-16-17. Front view showing lines and N2 for parawing control.
(IMG_4785) Side view showing landing gear, other equipment
(IMG_4788) Side view showing “abort & retrograde separation joint shaped charge”
(IMG_4791) Side view showing nose gear and docking latches (never used)
52-00103 General Arrangement
A single-sheet side view with basic dimension. This is Rev. B dated 4/1/64.
It clearly shows the base of the heatshield is 1.7 inches wider than the adjoining adapter section.
52-00110 Exterior Finish Gemini Adapter
This scan is an excerpt (we did not want to take time to scan the entire drawing) of the main sheet. It shows some interesting details like umbilical connections, vents, and antennas. Some are noted as not painted. Paint is called out as X500 titanium dioxide paint.
52-00400 General Arrangement – Landing Gear
(IMG_4757) This is a very basic dimensioned diagram of the extended gear.
52-016014 Paraglider Stowage Envelope
(IMG_4801) Nose area. Dated 10/22/62.
(IMG_4805) Side view
52-31001 Section Assembly – Rendezvous and Recovery
We scanned all but the far left fold. Note this is an early
version with a single drogue chute mortar. I believe this was the
Gemini 1 configuration. I combined several scans into a single
image.
52-31001-13M27 R&R Section Assy Field Change Notice
(IMG_4807)
“Remove 2 ea. Velcro patches, 52-31011-47, from R.H. side of
R&R sect.” Effectivity SC 11 only. Dated 8/16/66.
I looked at photos and could not find any that
showed fewer patches on SC 11. Perhaps these were way on the side.
52-31001-19M1 R&R Section Assy Field Change Notice
(IMG_4810)
“Paint a 0.38” x 1.00” patch using (MMS 405 color No. 509
(insignia red) per Fed. Std. 595”. “This patch is to be
within one inch of actual thermocouple location.” “Rubber stamp on
the red patch 3/16” high numbers and letter using black marking
ink…” Each thermocouple had a four-digit parameter number (e.g.,
“PB05”) that was to be marked. Effectivity was S/C 4, dated
4/15/65.
This is no doubt the same process used to mark the red areas (for
inspection stamps) on the nose shingle retainers.
52-31001-19M2 R&R Section Assy Field Change Notice
(IMG_4809) Add potting (RTV 90) all around the mortar covers “to reduce air loads.” Effectivity S/C 4 and up-the-line, dated 4/27/65.
52-31001 19M3 Section Assembly – Rendezvous and Recovery – Field Change Notice
This is a mod to the ground plane to install the 52-77831-1 “electrical package,” with effectivity for SC 4, dated 5/19/65. Note that this package was soon removed by FCN 19M4.
52-31001-19M4 R&R Section Assy Field Change Notice
(IMG_4811) This is a view of the radar ground plane plate which removes the 52-77831-1 “ELEC. PKG.” This left a hole in the plate which was replaced by round discs on both inner and outer surfaces of the plate. “Reason: Remove special experiment and fill hole. Void FCN 52-31001-19M3” Effectivity was S/C 4, dated 3/26/65?
Section Assembly – Rendezvous and Recovery – E.O. Extension Drawing
This is a nice overall view of the flight configuration (S/C 6, 8-12) with the radar installation. This was scanned by the NARA staff on their oversized scanner.
52-31001 EO 13 R&R Section Assy Engineering Order
(IMG_4814) Adds three cover assemblies and attaching hardware to the areas around the single mortar cover. Effectivity was S/C 1 and up (incl. static 4), dated 2/28/63.
