Everything Dinosaur’s Review of the New Papo Brachiosaurus

The Papo Brachiosaurus is the last of the 2012 Papo dinosaur models to be released, it is also the largest model within the company’s prehistoric animal model range and indeed one of the largest replicas made to date by this French manufacturer.  This model of the Late Jurassic browser, measures forty centimetres in length and the head stands over thirty centimetres high.  The Brachiosaurus was due to be launched earlier in the year but it has been worth waiting for as this is another remarkable sculpt with this dinosaur being depicted as a heavy-set robust animal very reminiscent to the brachiosaurs depicted in the Jurassic Park movie franchise.

Papo Brachiosaurus Dinosaur Model

There has been a tremendous amount of scientific research carried out on brachiosaur fossil material over the last few years, indeed there is as strong argument to split the African and American Brachiosauridae fossils into separate genera. Recent studies have suggested that these dinosaurs were actually much lighter than previously thought, but Papo have opted to give their replica a very thick neck and a large body supported by very strong pillar-like back legs.  This reflects a more traditional view of the Brachiosauridae, the model gives the impression of a very powerful animal, one of the largest land-living animals known to science.

The Papo Brachiosaurus Dinosaur Model

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the Papo range of prehistoric animal models and figures including dinosaurs: Papo Dinosaur Figures.

When attempting to calculate a scale for this new model it is worth noting that species such as B. altithorax are estimated to be up to 22-25 metres in length.  Based on this data, this would give the new Papo model an approximate scale of 1:55, for example, one centimetre on the model equals 55 centimetres on the actual dinosaur.

Interestingly this Brachiosaurus is depicted with its mouth open.  Most other models of sauropods currently available are shown with the mouth closed.  The individual peg-like teeth can be made out and the nostrils are located at the top of the head which reflects current thinking regarding the placement of the nostrils on these large herbivores.

The colouration consists of mostly dark green with a lighter tan coloured underside, once again a more traditional interpretation of this dinosaur’s colouring.  The skin texture has been carefully crafted and shows a lot of detail.  We are sure Elmer G. Riggs who discovered the first brachiosaur fossils in the western United States would be suitably impressed by this interpretation of Brachiosaurus.

The Papo Brachiosaurus is ideal for robust, creative play and will no doubt also prove to be very popular with dinosaur model collectors.