Papo New Prehistoric Animal Models for 2018

A lot of media sources have published pictures of the new for 2018 prehistoric animal models from Papo.  These sites have claimed that there is a total of five new items, however, many of these sites and media sources have omitted details about the introduction of a large, prehistoric animal themed play set from Papo due for release next year.  In this blog post we will provide details and images of all six of the new for 2018 releases heading for the Papo “dinosaurs” model range.

Papo Young Spinosaurus will be Available as an Individual Model

Papo Prehistoric Animal Models

The Papo young Spinosaurus figure will be available to purchase as an individual model.  Currently, this figure is only available in a box set with the Papo Ceratosaurus.  It has now been confirmed that the juvenile Spinosaurus with its articulated lower jaw will become part of the model range and that the limited-edition box set will be discontinued.

Fans of Papo and model collectors have just a few weeks in order to pick up the special edition gift box which features the Papo young Spinosaurus and the Papo Ceratosaurus figure.

The Limited-edition Papo Box Set (Young Spinosaurus and Ceratosaurus Dinosaur Models)

To view the special edition gift box and the rest of the Papo model range: Papo Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals.

Papo Amargasaurus Model

Papo have added another diplodocid dinosaur to join their young Apatosaurus figure.  The Papo Amargasaurus is depicted with a neck frill and a humped-back, perhaps an evolutionary adaptation to help this large, herbivorous dinosaur endure prolonged periods of drought.

The New for 2018 Papo Amargasaurus Dinosaur Model

Papo Prehistoric Man Model

Next up, is the Papo prehistoric man figure, complete with spear and club.  This model looks to us like a re-issue of the Papo caveman figure with spear that was discontinued some years ago.  This figure sports a new paint scheme and it is great to see an introduction of a “caveman” into the Papo collection, especially since France has a rich heritage of hominin fossils.

The New for 2018 Papo Prehistoric Man Figure

Comparing the Papo Cavemen Figures

Papo Therizinosaurus

The new Papo Therizinosaurus dinosaur model is expected to arrive sometime in quarter 2 (March to the end of June 2018), it too, will possess an articulated jaw, like the young Spinosaurus replica.  We have yet to have formal confirmation of the measurements, but we at Everything Dinosaur, believe that this is going to be Papo’s largest prehistoric animal model introduced next year.

New for 2018 the Papo Therizinosaurus Dinosaur Model

The sculpt is very typically Papo, with the design team favouring a more scaly representation, with feathers confined mainly to the arms and to that stubby tail.  The posture is interesting, with the left foot raised resulting in the replica balancing on the toe claws, reminiscent of the stance seen in the 2017 Papo Ceratosaurus.

New for 2018 the Papo Iguanodon Figure

Papo Iguanodon Dinosaur Model

Expected to arrive around the same time as the Therizinosaurus replica is this fascinating model of Iguanodon.  It certainly is a very robust looking dinosaur and the limb proportions suggest that this model is based upon Iguanodon bernissartensis, which makes sense as fossils of this herbivorous dinosaur have been found in France, as well as elsewhere within Europe.  The Papo Iguanodon will have an articulated jaw.

With five figures added, it is worthwhile mentioning what models will be retired next year from the Papo model range.  The Pachyrhinosaurus, the baby brown Tyrannosaurus rex figure and the baby Woolly Mammoth model are now all out of production.

To read more about Papo model retirements: Papo Models and Retirements.

The Papo “Land of Dinosaurs”

The sixth edition to the Papo “Les Dinosaures” range is this large-sized, prehistoric animal themed play set.  Full details have yet to be released by Papo, but following the successful introduction of the bush outpost and playmat into the “La Vie Sauvage” (wildlife) range, it was almost inevitable that a prehistoric landscape would be made.

New for 2018 Papo “Land of Dinosaurs” Play Set

Constructed from sturdy card and other composite materials, the “Land of Dinosaurs” slots together to create a cave with an erupting volcano in which to place your prehistoric animal models.  We are not sure of the dimensions of this set, other than having been told “it’s big”.  In addition, we suspect that the prehistoric animals featured in the image above will not be included in the kit (figures sold separately).

When Will These Models/Play Sets be Available?

At Everything Dinosaur, we will publish more information when we receive it, but for the time being here are the proposed release dates:

Quarter 1 (between January and the end of March) – Young Spinosaurus, the prehistoric man, Papo Amargasaurus and the “Land of Dinosaurs” play set.

Quarter 2 (between the end of March and the end of June) – Papo Iguanodon and the Papo Therizinosaurus models.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

New CollectA Models 2018 (Part 3)

Time for a first peek, at the third batch of new for 2018 CollectA prehistoric animal models.  Today’s releases feature a dinosaur, an animal often mistaken for a dinosaur but more closely related to the third new model announced this morning.  We have a Ceratosaurus, a Dimetrodon and a beautiful model of a prehistoric proboscidean Gomphotherium!

The New for 2018 CollectA Deluxe 1:40 Scale Ceratosaurus Dinosaur Model

CollectA 1:40 Ceratosaurus Dinosaur Model

This beautifully proportioned dinosaur comes complete with an articulated jaw, all the better to show off that over-sized dentition that makes this relatively rare Late Jurassic theropod so formidable.  The spotted and mottled black markings remind us of the spots found on extant leopards, an apt choice of artwork as this dinosaur was contemporaneous with the “lion of the Jurassic” Allosaurus.

The eye is drawn to the vivid colours around the skull and the row of scutes (scales) that run down the back of this predator.

Model designer Anthony Beeson explains:

“I have been wanting to make a model of this dinosaur for some time.  As the nasal horn is likely to have been an object of display rather than a weapon, I have given it a bright keratin sheath and a face paint that makes the most of it.  The animal’s back has a row of osteoderms along it and the tail is deep rather like that of a crocodile, as it may have been partly aquatic in its hunting.”

With the recent research undertaken into the Spinosauridae, the idea that Ceratosaurus may have been partially aquatic has once again gained prominence.  It is good to see this prehistoric animal provided with a base, this helps keep the feet in proportion and permits a more dynamic pose for the replica.

To view a CollectA Allosaurus model and other CollectA replicas: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

Not a Dinosaur but a Dimetrodon

Joining the Ceratosaurus, is another predator, one that roamed the Earth over 100 million years before Ceratosaurus, a mighty sail-backed monster of the Permian – Dimetrodon.  Although, Dimetrodon is often mistaken for a dinosaur, it is more closely related to mammals like us, than it is to the Dinosauria.

The CollectA 1:20 Scale Dimetrodon Model

CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models

CollectA are not the first to make a replica of this iconic pelycosaur.  However, the CollectA model shows a remarkable attention to detail and provides a different perspective on this, one of the most famous animals from the Palaeozoic.  Firstly, it has been given a striking camouflage, a wonderful mix of khaki, tan and green that would have helped this carnivore to blend into its environment.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised these new CollectA prehistoric animal models.

The posture of the model depicts a highly mobile animal with strong legs and a tail lifted clear of the ground, in stark contrast to the portrayal of Dimetrodon in paintings from the early part of the 20th century, in which Dimetrodon was depicted as a sluggish, slow-moving creature with a sprawling gait.  The model has an articulated jaw and the skin is rough and warty, it is a glandular skin, a stark contrast to other recently released Dimetrodon replicas that retain a scaly skin texture.  Whereas the underbelly is covered in much finer scales, as seen in other, related Permian synapsid fossils.

The model also shows signs of wear and tear, typically a large predator would pick up numerous injuries over the course of its lifetime.

Commenting on CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models

Anthony Beeson explained:

“As you will see, our Dimetrodon is unlike any that have been issued before as toys.  His sail does not reach to the end of neural spines and echoes the theory that the skin did not necessarily fully cover it.  It has also sustained an injury, which would be a reality as examples of bent and fractured spines have been found.”

It makes sense to depict Dimetrodon with a degree of pathology present.  Numerous specimens preserve deformed areas on the neural spines that appear to be healed-over fractures and the webbing across that famous sail may not have been as extensive as previously thought.  It is going to be fun depicting this replica next to the recently announced CollectA Estemmenosuchus figure.

To read about the new for 2018 CollectA Estemmenosuchus and other CollectA model releases: New CollectA Models for 2018 (Part 2).

For the article outlining the first batch of new for 2018 CollectA models: New CollectA Models for 2018 (Part 1).

CollectA 1:20 Scale Gomphotherium

The third offering from CollectA is this magnificent Gomphotherium replica.  A model of “welded beast” joins the CollectA range and it makes a fine companion piece to the Woolly Mammoth figures and the Deinotherium model that already grace the CollectA range.

New for 2018 The CollectA 1:20 Scale Gomphotherium Model

Anthony comments:

“He is an addition to our prehistoric elephants.  He is a strange beast with his upper enamel-covered tusks recurving whilst the lower are thought to have been used for digging up roots or water plants.  The length of the trunk is unknown, so I have calculated what I believe would be a useful length.  I have given him a partial furring of hair.”

Gomphotherium (CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models)

A number of species of Gomphotherium have been described since the genus name was first erected back in 1837.  The long, low skull of Gomphotherium is in sharp contrast to the domed skulls of the later Mammut (American Mastodon) and the Mammoths.

The design team have had to speculate on the length of the trunk, its length is not known, intriguingly the trunk length in the model is considerably longer than the trunk seen in an illustration of Gomphotherium in the “Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals”, that Everything Dinosaur team members recently reviewed.  That said, the trunk as depicted in the model, seems perfectly proportioned and given the unique dentition of this proboscidean it is not unreasonable to suggest a prehensile trunk length as shown in this 1.20 scale replica.

CollectA Model Measurements

Here is the tale of the tape, that we know dinosaur fans and model collectors are after:

CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Ceratosaurus – length just under 27 cm with a height of just over 12 cm

The CollectA Dimetrodon (1:20 scale) – length 19 cm with a maximum height at the top of the sale of 11 cm

CollectA Gomphotherium (1:20 scale) – length 18.5 cm long with a height of just over 7 cm

These are a fantastic trio of models and we look forward to adding them to our model range in the near future.

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life models currently in stock at Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.