When Anthony Eden is discussing his medication with his doctor, a pill bottle is clearly labeled as 'Pentobarbitone' yet in the ensuing description, states that each pill contains amphetamine. In reality, Pentobarbitone (Pentobarbital) is the literal opposite of amphetamines. Pentobarbital is a barbiturate (a sedative/hypnotic) which is a powerful central nervous system depressant which slows the activity of the brain and induces sleep as well as a powerful state of relaxation. Amphetamine, on the other hand, is a powerful stimulant which eliminates fatigue and keeps the user awake and alert.
The Captain of the RMY Britannia at that time period was a Vice Admiral. The actor portraying the Captain is wearing the correct insignia for a Vice Admiral after 2001, but at the time the episode was placed he is wearing what would be the insignia for a full Admiral. (The rank insignia for Royal Navy Admirals was changed in 2001. Prior to 2001, an Admiral wore "3 stars" on his shoulder-boards, a Vice Admiral wore "two stars", etc., etc. This could be confusing since although a full Admiral wore 3 stars, it was a "four star" rank (using the US nomenclature). In 2001, the should-rank insignia was changed so that an Admiral wore the same number of stars as his US (NATO) rank equivalent.)
So either the show had the wrong rank for the Captain of the Britannia, or he was wearing the wrong rank insignia for the 1950's.
So either the show had the wrong rank for the Captain of the Britannia, or he was wearing the wrong rank insignia for the 1950's.
The Royal yacht acts on a distress call from the HMAS Warreen.
The actual Australian 'patrol boat' later shown carries the name HMAS Quadrant, which was in fact a destroyer. The prop ship resembles neither.
Around 32'55, just after the beard-growing competition is announced, we see the captain of the yacht shaving his beard off: he uses his razor incorrectly. The blade of a straight razor is run parallel to the cheek, not perpendicular as he does.
Lt Cdr Parker's epaulettes are regularly shown as being on back to front. The curl should start at the front so the overlap should always face forward.
For the ship scene with Prince Phillip, the ship's crew is clearly made up of about 25 extras repeated. They are rearranged, but you can spot most of the extras on both sides of the deck at the same time.
The White Ensign on Britannia lacks the red saltire of St Patrick.
The ringing cadence of British telephones is incorrectly represented by the US version.
Shots of the Royal Yacht Britania in the 1960's shows that she has an INMARSAT Standard A satellite communications antenna, this wasn't fitted to the vessel until the mid 1980's.
At the beginning of the episode, in the scene on HMY Britannia, modern-day ships can be seen in the harbour.