I am re-posting this from the old site for ease of reference:
Hoax believers have taken the urban legend that the LM mock-up in the London Science Museum was built at Pinewood Studios for "Diamonds Are Forever" to a new level. They are keeping the bit about it being made at Pinewood, but they are now claiming that it was built for Stanley Kubrick's Apollo "film." Since the LM in the Kensington museum is obviously not functional, it "proves" that the landings were fake. I investigated this urban legend by contacting the museum. Here is their reply:
"Thank you for your email dated 26th October 2011 with regards to the possibility that the Science Museum’s model Apollo 11 Lunar Lander is (or was) a prop from a film – possibly Diamonds Are Forever or Apollo 13. The object is inventoried within the Museum’s collections as follows:
Replica Apollo 11 lunar excursion module (Inventory number 1977-435)
This object is currently on display within the Museum’s Exploring Space Gallery; should you wish to view it please visit the Museum during normal opening hours – 10am to 6pm, last entry 5.15pm, Monday to Sunday except 24th to 26th December. I have reviewed the Museum’s technical file linked to this, T/1977-435, and there is no mention of this object being used (or potentially used) in any filming production prior to entering the Museum’s care.
The object formerly entered the Museum’s care in 1977. In fact original correspondence (held on nominal file 6954) with the original model makers, Westbury Design and Optical Ltd, indicates that this object was built specifically at the request of the Museum and for display purposes only. Further more the original enquiry into obtaining a quote from the above model making company was made by the Museum in 1975. Diamonds Are Forever was released in 1971 and Apollo 13 in 1995. As you can see the Museum’s model post-dates these films by several years.
Museum paperwork also contains original drawings supplied by NASA and Grumman Aerospace (the company who built the original Apollo Lunar Landers). With further correspondence suggesting the Museum liaised with these institutions to supply Westbury Design and Optical Ltd the most detailed and authentic plans as possible. I trust this information is of some use to you and I wish you all the best with your research.
Rory Cook
Corporate Information and Enquiries Officer
Science Museum"
Please be sure to spread this information as widely as possible!
