Prior to the US manned lunar landings, Dr V was consulted by NASA regarding any tests he’d like to see conducted, that were reasonable within the limits of both mobility and time constraints, and he gave them his suggestions.
Prior to 1969 (and really prior to 1972, when a geologist actually went there; and in a real sense, prior to the Alvarez model for impact extinction; and in an even more real sense, prior to the SL-9 comet impacts on Jupiter in 1994) the origin of lunar craters and maria was still being fought over.
Sagan became a media darling even then, pointing out that there was the impact camp, and there was the volcanic camp, and that they didn’t like each other, and that when a lone figure (I’m guessing Thomas Gold, but I don’t know) came along suggesting a combination of both, neither side liked him.
The one test suggested by Dr V that springs to mind was a subsurface temperature-taking; according to his model, there should be a “steep thermal gradient” as readings are taken deeper and deeper. And he suggested that rock samples should be checked for “fossil” magnetism, to see if, when molten, they were exposed to very high magnetic fields.
Poor guy. Getting between two sides in a PI$$ING contest is nowhere to be without some good rain gear.
I gather there was never any wildcatting on the moon then since a quick search doesn't reveal anything. Do you recall if V offered any suggestion about how far into the moon one would need to drill to determine whether or not there was a "steep temperature gradient"?
After some snooping around the web, I discovered there were some moon rocks showing magnetic "anomalies" that apparently gave scientists a case of the vapors. They didn't know what to make of it and to this day it seems there's still no consensus about the cause. "V" strikes again. ;^)
Re your 54
Someone I know pointed out to Schoch Davidovits’ geopolymerization model for the ancient Egypt synthesis of stone (faience, as well as the blocks used to construct the Giza pyramids), and he stated that he doesn’t find it compelling. :’)
That's seems to have come out of left field but I'll run with it. From my reading I don't recall but, did "V" propose such a thing re megalith construction? The truly remarkable construction that would appear to be good candidates are some of the pre-Incan structures in South America. AMAZING stuff that.