A Review of the Papo Mini Dinosaurs Tub
Papo, the France based figure and replica manufacturer, have for some time marketed a series of smaller models sold in tubs which mirror animals already included in the company’s larger model collections. In 2014, Papo have added a tub of mini dinosaur models to their portfolio and this is a review of that model set.
Papo Mini Dinosaurs
The tub of dinosaurs contains six figures, three herbivores and three carnivores. Namely, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus with the meat-eaters being Velociraptor, Spinosaurus and T. rex. It is not surprising that Papo have chosen these particular dinosaurs, firstly Papo already makes large models of these six members of the Dinosauria and secondly, in Everything Dinosaur’s annual prehistoric animal survey, all six dinosaurs regularly feature in the top ten.
To view the list of top ten prehistoric animals for 2013: Top Ten List.
The Papo Mini Dinosaurs Model Tub
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The three theropods, that is the Velociraptor, the Tyrannosaurus rex and the Spinosaurus have been posed with their tails resting on the ground, what is termed a tripodal stance. Although tail drag marks have been preserved in the fossil record, it is very likely that these sorts of dinosaur held their tails out behind them. We think the stance is purely to help stabilise the models to make them easier to stand up, especially if being played with on a carpet for example.
We don’t think any of the models will win any awards for anatomical accuracy, they have been designed very much with the young dinosaur fan in mind and not the serious model collector but they are appealing and quite quirky and for anyone collecting the Papo prehistoric animal model range, they are a worthwhile addition.
The Papo Mini Dinosaurs Model Set
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Although not to scale, there are a couple of points worth making. For example, the Velociraptor figure works well when used in any dioramas featuring the larger Papo dinosaur models.
In addition, something that young dinosaur fans will approve of, is the fact that the Spinosaurus replica is larger than the T. rex model in this series. This reflects what is seen in the fossil record with Spinosaurus (S. aegyptiacus) regarded by many palaeontologists as the largest land carnivore of all time.
The Papo Mini Dinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex and Spinosaurus Compared
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The models measure in size from the diminutive Velociraptor which measures around 5 centimetres long to the Brachiosaurus which stands nearly 9 centimetres tall and is around 10 centimetres in length, the skin textures have been very well crafted and they are an ideal dinosaur model gift set for children from 3 years and upwards
Papo prehistoric animal models tend to have a characteristic look about them and we at Everything Dinosaur have long suspected that the design team at Papo have been heavily influenced by the look of the prehistoric animals featured in the Jurassic Park movie franchise. The colour of the Spinosaurus model reminded us of the Spinosaurus seen in Jurassic Park 3 and the look of the T. rex model brought to mind the final scene in the first Jurassic Park film when the T. rex knocks the Jurassic Park banner to the ground.
One thing about these small models, is that they can always be used to represent babies when shown next to the larger models in the Papo model range.
The Baby Stegosaurus (Mini Dinosaurs) and the Papo Stegosaurus Dinosaur Model
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
This is an excellent dinosaur model play set, one that is a welcome addition to the Papo prehistoric animal series.
To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of Papo prehistoric animal models: Papo Prehistoric Animal Models.
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