Papo Introduces a Number of New Replicas and One Re-paint (Time to form your Own T. rex Family Group)
The French based figure and model manufacturer Papo have announced their new prehistoric animal models for 2012. Papo market their prehistoric animals under the “Les Dinosaures” brand, with the introduction of a total of seven new replicas, three of which are not dinosaurs, it may be time for Papo to extend this umbrella branding to include “animaux préhistoriques”. Everything Dinosaur updates customers on new for 2012 Papo prehistoric animal models.
Papo Prehistoric Animal Models
The high standards that collectors have come to expect from Papo have been maintained, and the new introductions brings the total model range to twenty-five (including the two cavemen figures). There are a couple of retirements. Firstly, the camp fire that we at Everything Dinosaur sold along with the two cavemen figures, this is being retired and we don’t think any more will be available. In addition, the award winning T. rex with its moving lower jaw is being replaced by a re-painted version – a sort of T. rex with a makeover, the colour scheme will be predominately light brown.
The Re-painted T. rex Model
Award-winning T. rex dinosaur model with a new look.
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
It is fascinating to see how Papo’s designers are modifying their range of prehistoric animal models. This T. rex has been one of the company’s “flag ship” replicas, and it has proved to be a top selling sculpt over the years. The re-paint is interesting, with its subtle stripes and dusky colours, perhaps a homage to the origins of the really big Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurs which are believed to have originated from the dry and dusky interior of China, before they migrated into North America. This model will be available from Everything Dinosaur in February.
Tyrannosaurs have certainly been at the centre of Papo’s design efforts over the last few months, as hot on the heels of the re-paint, comes a brand new sculpt of an adult Tyrannosaurus rex and what a monster it is!
The Green Running T. rex from Papo
Hot on your heels – a running T. rex from Papo of France.
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
A Running Tyrannosaurus rex Model
There are some subtle differences between this new interpretation and the previous model of this iconic dinosaur. The forelimbs have been slightly re-positioned to reflect the latest thinking regarding their position and the lack of pronation that big theropods had; (the ability to twist their arms and to hold their fingers parallel to the ground). The eye crests are retained but these are joined by a small, raised ridge that runs from the skull down the neck and the dentition (layout of the teeth) has been altered. The model is very well balanced and gives the appearance of movement, with T. rex being depicted as a lean and muscular predator.
The first T. rex replica produced by Papo was heavily influenced by the Tyrannosaurus rex that featured in the Jurassic Park film trilogy, our experts at Everything Dinosaur have noticed the influence of another tyrannosaur seen in recent films, in this new replica – the prominent premaxilla and the large teeth resemble the tyrannosaur known as Vastatosaurus rex seen in the Peter Jackson re-make of King Kong that came out in 2005. The Vastatosaurus rex was interpreted as being a descendant from the North American tyrannosaurs, it was the top predator on Skull Island and the only dinosaur brave and strong enough to tackle the giant ape. This new model will be available in February 2012.
A Close Up of the Head of the New Papo T. rex
A homage to recent dinosaur movies?
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
The tyrannosaur theme continues with the introduction of two juvenile Tyrannosaurus replicas. The design team at Papo must have been reading up on recently published scientific papers which postulated that tyrannnosaurs may have been pack hunters, living in small family groups. The recently refurbished and re-opened dinosaur halls at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, features an exhibit of three skeletons of T. rex, an adult, a teenager and a juvenile all feeding off the carcase of a dead Edmontosaurus. This is the first time, that tyrannosaurs have been depicted in a family group. We think that Luis Chiappe, the Director of the Museum’s Dinosaur Halls would be intrigued to see how Papo have interpreted the young T. rexes.
Baby Dinosaur Models
To view an article on the T. rex exhibition at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum: Grand Opening of New Dinosaur Halls at Museum.
The Juvenile T, rex (Baby T. rex – Green)
Young T. rex from Papo.
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
The Baby T. rex (Brown Replica) from Papo
A nasty nipper!
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
Our experts at Everything Dinosaur, think the green T. rex represents a slightly older animal, whereas the brown T. rex is a replica of a much younger animal, perhaps less than a year old, if current ontogeny theory (growth rate) associated with Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurs is correct. The age of the animal can be estimated by looking at the body proportions, note the size of the head in comparison with the rest of the creature. In both models, the head is raised as if the young creature is looking up at one of its parents, perhaps begging for food or seeking the assurance and protection of an older member of the tyrannosaur family group.
Papo is to be commended for taking the time and trouble to research some of the latest theories regarding tyrannosaurs and then incorporate this research into their figures.
We suspect that just like at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, these T. rex models can be posed so that collectors and dinosaur fans alike can form their own T. rex family group. All the tyrannosaur models are scheduled to be available from February.
Joining the large Woolly Mammoth available from Papo, comes not one but two baby Mammoths. The trend to feature prehistoric animals in family groups seems to extend from the tyrannosaurs of the Late Cretaceous right up to last Ice Age with these new Papo models.
The Baby Woolly Mammoth (Standing)
Baby Woolly Mammoth – the new Lyuba?
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
When team members at Everything Dinosaur first saw this picture, we thought “cute” the vulnerability of a young creature in a harsh environment has really been captured by the Papo model makers. This sculpt reminded us of “Lyuba” the remarkable fossilised Mammoth baby found just a few years ago in Siberia. With the retirement of other hand-painted Mammoth models, these two replicas are very welcome.
Baby Woolly Mammoth (Walking)
Mammoth on the move.
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
Note the humps on the back of these young animals. Scientists studying the extremely well-preserved remains of “Lyuba” the youngest Mammoth fossil ever found, discovered that these babies did indeed have a hump on the back. It has been suggested that young Mammoths were able to lay down fat and store it in their bodies, in a similar way to creatures like camels – an adaptation to living in a cold, harsh environment when food supplies were never guaranteed.
To read more about the baby Mammoth known as “Lyuba” and how palaeontologists are finding about the diet of young Mammoths: Baby Mammoth Stomach Contents Under Scrutiny.
Marine reptiles are not left out from the new Papo 2012 collection. We had known about the introduction of a replica of the fearsome marine reptile Tylosaurus for some time, now we can put up a picture of this model, which will be available from February.
The New Tylosaurus Model from Papo
“Protuberance Lizard” a new replica from Papo.
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
A number of genera of this type of marine reptile are known from the fossil record. The scaly skin on this replica could be Papo’s way of highlighting the affinity this group of predators have with the Squamata (lizards and snakes). Tylosaurs are believed to be closely related to modern monitor lizards, although at over fourteen metres long (some species), these extinct creatures are much larger. It is apt for Papo to introduce a model of a Tylosaurus in 2012, as next year marks the 140th anniversary of the naming of this marine reptile. This model will work well with the existing Papo marine reptile model (plesiosaurus) that was introduced to the range in 2009. It will be available in February.
Last but by no means least, comes the largest model that Papo have made in their “Les Dinosaures” range. In fact, this will be one of the largest models ever made by Papo, and indeed one of the biggest dinosaur models around. Papo are introducing their first ever sauropod figure, and what an excellent model it looks to be.
Coming out in July 2012, Papo are introducing a model of Brachiosaurus.
The New Brachiosaurus Model from Papo (July 2012)
The new heavyweight champion!
Picture credit: Papo/Everything Dinosaur
The more traditional, elephantine colouring will contrast well with other Macronaria models due to be introduced next year. The Brachiosaurus is depicted as a very heavy-set, powerful creature and this replica will make an excellent centrepiece for many a collector. It is due to be released in Summer 2012, just in time for the London Games, looks like we are going to need an Olympic-sized warehouse to store all these new models from Papo.
To view the range of “Les Dinosaures” available from Everything Dinosaur: Papo Prehistoric Animal and Dinosaur Models (Les Dinosaures).
Although I agree with some of Manuel’s comments, I must admit that I am not a fan of the Papo dino. range.
I know that Papo does have a considerable fan base but for myself I think that they are more in the “toy” market intended for children, rather than in the “model” market intended for adult collectors of dinosaurs.
I have very similar feelings about Schleich as well and having compared both these brands with Safari, Bullyland and CollectA I am completely convinced that the best brand for serious dino. collectors has got to be CollectA.
They are not perfect, especially some of the earlier sculpts., but overall they are much better all round and also seem to be improving every year.
I know where I would rather spend my money!
The two baby T. rex, the brown re-paint and the new running T. rex will all have articulated jaws (lower jaws that open and close).
Hope this helps.
collecta seriously? what are you guys agents from the collecta a website trying to promote your product? I just checked them out the figures are horrid looking, Papo is no doubt the essential preferred collectors choice for dinosaurs. Second would be schleich
Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course, at Everything Dinosaur we work very closely with a number of major manufacturers, including Papo and Collecta. The Collecta range has improved enormously over recent years and we have no hesitation recommending both Papo and Collecta. Some of the new models due out this year from Schleich have caused us some consternation, check out the feet on the new Triceratops figure or the “fairy/gosomer” wings on the Quetzalcoatlus re-paint. Interesting interpretations of the fossil record, perhaps these particular models have been influenced too much by the fantasy figure range made by Schleich.
Hi, this post is several months old, but i just read it and wanted to share my opinion (from a JP fan point of view) on the tyrannosaur models.
In the Jurassic Park films, male T-rex is green with blue stripes (The lost world and Jurassic Park III), whereas the female brown with darker stripes (Jurassic park, The lost world). Also though it cannot be seen properly in the film, the ‘making of’ book from the lost world states that the Male rex head was modified from the female, adding prominent bumps and ridges. So i dont think the green t-rex is a reference to King Kong’s V-rex. The color is there to differenciate sex, not age. That’s why i think there are green an brown baby rexes.
I hope that was of some help 🙂