HOW THE MOON RACE WAS WON. We received a plastic mosaic tile playset for Christmas in 1965, which we used to make this illustration of the Gemini Project.

The launchpad

Staging

We didn't realize it at the time, but the Gemini missions of late 1965 and early 1966 demonstrated a capability the Soviets wouldn't have until much later.

Rendezvous

The Soviets did fly their Vostok and Salyut craft in close formation, but mating 'em up in space was another matter.

Docking

Docking capability means a moon-shot can carry along a lighter landing craft to perform the descent to and ascent from the Moon, and much less dead weight to tote along in the form of fuel for trans-earth injection.

I'm not sure if this frame is a stylized moon landing or anticipation of the dockings with the Agena target vehicles that took place beginning in the spring of 1966.

Deorbit

Splashdown

This frame is also stylized: one rendezvous craft would typically work on endurance while the other one returned.