2014 T. rex Model (Carnegie Dinosaurs) is Reviewed

The only new addition for 2014 in the Carnegie Collectibles scale dinosaur model range made by Safari Ltd, is this updated version of Tyrannosaurus rex.  At Everything Dinosaur, we are aware that Safari Ltd have made quite a number of  T. rex models over the years, there have been a number of recent introductions, such as the excellent Wild Safari Dinos Tyrannosaurus rex model that came out back in 2012.

To see a video review of the 2012 Tyrannosaurus rex model introduction: Wild Safari Dinos T. rex Video Review.

Carnegie Dinosaurs 2014 T. rex

The reason for this particular dinosaur model’s introduction as we understand matters,  is to commemorate 25 years of working with the palaeontologists at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.  The model itself shows a number of modifications when compared to the very early Carnegie Collectibles Tyrannosaurs.   It has a more graceful appearance with slightly longer legs, the arms are significantly reduced and those famous two fingers are orientated towards the horizontal, a grasping position rather than the downward pointing “bunny pose”  for the claws as we at Everything Dinosaur refer to it.

Carnegie Dinosaurs T. rex dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The feet are smaller and in proportion to the rest of the model.  The design team have worked hard to make the middle toe of the foot, effectively the third toe, bigger than the other two supporting toes.  As the feet are more to scale with the rest of the replica, the model is balanced by having the tip of the long tail resting on the ground.

Tyrannosaurus rex Dinosaur Model

The model measures a little over 23 cm in length but when the curvature of the tail is taken into consideration the total length is more like 25 cm.  The top of the impressively painted skull is around 13 cm off the ground.  Safari Ltd state that this replica is in approximate 1:40 scale, roughly in the same scale as a lot of this company’s other theropod dinosaur figures.

The detail around the jaws is particularly praiseworthy.  Care has been taken to give the impression of different sized teeth in the jaws although the teeth in the premaxilla (front of the upper jaw),  look a little small.  However, the teeth are very well painted and they contrast nicely with the metallic red used to paint the interior of the mouth and the tongue.  The layout of the teeth gives the impression of an almost heterodont- like appearance.  The different sized teeth indicative of an animal that was able to replace teeth that were broken and had fallen out of its mouth.

New for 2014 from Safari Ltd (Tyrannosaurus rex Dinosaur Model)

Fearsome dinosaur 1:40 scale figure. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

We are sure that a number of palaeontologists will approve of the red coloured facial stripes that start at the tip of the muzzle and broaden out towards the back of the skull.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of Safari Ltd prehistoric animal models: Safari Ltd. Prehistoric World Models.

Even with such a famous dinosaur as Tyrannosaurus rex, scientists are adding to their knowledge of tyrannosaurs all the time and it is good to see a new replica of the “Tyrant Lizard King” added to the Safari Carnegie Dinosaur Collectibles range.  We at Everything Dinosaur even provide a  T. rex fact sheet so that collectors can read all about this iconic dinosaur, how it got its name, what it ate, what the fossils tell palaeontologists about how this animal may have fed and other fascinating snippets of information.

This is an excellent model of a tyrannosaur, one that continues the Safari Ltd tradition of making good quality T. rex dinosaur models.