CollectA Mini Dinosaur Box Sets Reviewed

Dinosaur enthusiasts and collectors of prehistoric animal replicas have been presented with a bit of a dilemma from CollectA.  In addition to the company’s highly regarded “Deluxe” series and the “Prehistoric Life” range of not to scale prehistoric animal models, CollectA have added two sets of miniature models and very splendid they are too.

The dilemma does not concern collecting them but how best to showcase what are very carefully crafted replicas in their own right.  For example, these little dinosaur models et al could be used in plenty of dioramas, or perhaps each box set could be split up so that the various models can be displayed with their counterparts from the not to scale range and the mainly 1:40 scale “Deluxe” models.

New from CollectA Two Sets of Prehistoric Animal Models

A1101 – one of two new prehistoric animal box sets from CollectA.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

CollectA Mini Dinosaurs

Both sets of mini prehistoric animal models are marketed as “dinosaur box sets”.  True, the majority of the models in each set represent a dinosaur, but there are marine reptiles and pterosaurs featured too.  Each box set is packed into a clear plastic presentation case and the models inside have been placed in little compartments (two by two), separated by a strip of plastic.  This arrangement prevents the models from falling to the bottom of the box as the packaging has been designed to be presented on a carousel using hang tags and such like.

For model collectors, the big benefit here is that the models are separated and therefore any shaking or rough handling of the box itself will not cause the models to rub against each other and damage any of that lovely paintwork.

A1101 and A1102

Labelled by CollectA as A1101 and A1102, we at Everything Dinosaur prefer the more simple nomenclature of “box set 1” and “box set 2” and we recommend both sets to collectors and to dinosaur fans.

A1101 or Box Set 1 Contents

Prehistoric animal models from CollectA.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Many of the models resemble their counterparts in larger, existing CollectA model ranges, for example in box set 1, there is a splendid model of a feathered T. rex which would make an ideal accompaniment to the bigger, feathered Tyrannosaurus rex replicas that have recently been introduced by the company.  The same can be said for the Baryonyx and the Mosasaurus that are also included in this box set, but this is not always the case, read on…

CollectA Box Set Two (A1102)

A1102 a box set of prehistoric animal models.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

CollectA Mini Dinosaur Box Sets

The picture above shows the CollectA box set two (A1102), yes, it contains a model of a Liopleurodon and a Brachiosaurus which are very similar to other, larger CollectA models, but this set does include a Giganotosaurus replica (front row, left) as well as an Apatosaurus model (back row, right).  CollectA has not produced a model of “giant southern lizard” or indeed Apatosaurus before.  This has led to speculation that the company intends to introduce larger scale models of these two dinosaurs in 2016.

We, at Everything Dinosaur can assure readers that this is not the case, there are no plans (as far as we know), for CollectA to introduce a Giganotosaurus or an Apatosaurus next year.  If they did, they would have to go some way to beat the marvellous detail depicted in this set of prehistoric animals, they really are very good.

To see the range of dinosaur box sets and other CollectA not-to-scale figures available at Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Prehistoric World Models.

The Contents of A1101 (Box Set 1)

Ten super prehistoric animal models in the set.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Contents of A1102 (Box Set 2)

A set of ten beautiful prehistoric animal models.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur