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The sign accompanying the spacecraft. It reads

Mercury 12B

This capsule served as the backup spacecraft for Wally Schirra's Mercury 8 flight, known as Sigma 7. From 1959 to 1963, 20 Mercury capsules were manufactured by the McDonnell Aircraft Company in St. Louis, Missouri. Some were modified after initial production and received a letter designation after their number. Of the 20 capsules produced, five never flew in space, including this one.