The next video to be posted up on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel will feature the new CollectA marine reptile models for 2023. The video will include a review of the new CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Mosasaurus model and the new CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Shastasaurus.
The next video to be posted up on Everything Dinosaur’s YouTube channel will be a review of the recently announced new for 2023 CollectA Shastasaurus and the 1:40 scale Mosasaurus models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur on YouTube
The Everything Dinosaur YouTube channel is jam-packed with model reviews, hints and tips about prehistoric animal model collecting and we even provide the occasional free to enter competition too.
The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Shastasaurus with its striking black and white colour scheme measures around 25 cm in length, whilst the large 1:40 scale Mosasaurus measures nearly 40 cm long. Both these new for 2023 CollectA marine reptile models are scheduled to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur early next year (2023).
The updated Mosasaurus figure has an articulated lower jaw, whilst the Shastasaurus replica has been sculpted to depict the presence of barnacles (or sea lice) on the flippers and along the body of this large, Triassic ichthyosaur.
New CollectA models for 2023. The 1:40 CollectA Deluxe Mosasaurus (top), and the Age of Dinosaurs Popular ichthyosaur replica Shastasaurus (bottom).
A spokesperson for the award-winning mail order company stated that team members were looking forward to receiving stock of these two excellent marine reptile replicas.
The superb Nanmu Studio Parasaurolophus corpse, a fantastic replica of the mauled carcase of a duck-billed dinosaur is in stock at Everything Dinosaur. The special edition figure, which has a limited production run, is entitled Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus (Nutcracker Soldier).
The remarkable polystone sculpture entitled Nanmu Studio Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus (Nutcracker Soldier) is in stock at Everything Dinosaur (whilst stocks last).
Dragon Soul Parasaurolophus (Nutcracker Soldier)
This amazing, detailed polystone figure shows the remains of a large Parasaurolophus, which apparently had been brought down and partially consumed by a large predator, most probably a tyrannosaur.
The figure, which is believed to have an extremely limited production run, is the third model in a trio of Parasaurolophus figures introduced by Nanmu Studio this year (2022) – the “Nutcracker” series.
The new for 2022 Nanmu Studio Nutcracker Parasaurolophus dinosaur model in the green colour variant. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Nanmu Studio Parasaurolophus Corpse
The Nanmu Studio Parasaurolophus corpse is a fantastic, polystone replica of a dead Parasaurolophus in approximately 1:35 scale.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“This is a fascinating model, one in the “Dragon Soul” series of limited-edition replicas. We think it is the first carcase model that Nanmu Studio have introduced, and it is a stunning piece, one that would be right at home in a serious model collector’s collection.”
The stunning Nanmu Studio Parasaurolophus Nutcracker Soldier polystone replica. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Nanmu Studio Models
The figures and replica range produced by Nanmu Studio has grown in size and sophistication. The company plans to add further models to its inventory, but as far as Everything Dinosaur are aware, the Dragon Soul (Nutcracker Soldier) is the only scale model of a corpse made to date in this series and there are no current plans to add any other carcase replicas.
The Parasaurolophus corpse model box. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur wins award. Everything Dinosaur has won the excellence in customer service award at the annual South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce business awards. A spokesperson for Everything Dinosaur commented that they were proud and honoured to have received this recognition.
A Papo green Styracosaurus dinosaur model poses in front or the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce trophy for excellence in customer service awarded to Everything Dinosaur. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur Wins Award
The spokesperson went onto state:”
“We are delighted to have won the Excellence in Customer Service Award. We looked at all the finalists and any of the other nominees could have won, they all put customers at the very heart of their business. The category sponsor KPI Recruiting Ltd commented how difficult selecting a winner had been and we at Everything Dinosaur are honoured and humbled to receive this accolade.”
Visit Everything Dinosaur’s user-friendly and multi-award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.
A very big thank you to all our customers, you are roarsome!
Our thanks to model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of the new for 2022 PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus figure. This new replica of the first spinosaurid to be described from fossils found in China has proved to be very popular and it is wonderful to be able to publish a PNSO Sinopliosaurus review.
The broad, deep tail can of Sinopliosaurus can be seen on this image of the new PNSO dinosaur model.
PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis
In William’s email to Everything Dinosaur he exclaimed surprise that a replica of this spinosaurid had been produced by PNSO.
William stated:
“I was astounded to be honest but truly delighted! Never had I expected such a little known and fragmented fossil species would have received a highly accurate and superbly detailed PNSO figure but here we are reviewing Chongzuo.”
An Introduction to the Spinosauridae
In the review, it was commented that the Baryonychinae are members of the Spinosauridae family and a number of UK theropods had been assigned to the Spinosauridae. Commenting on the on-going debate about the validity of the Sinopliosaurus genus, William pointed out that Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis and Siamosaurus suteethorni might be synonyms as Sinopliosaurus is only known from fragmentary fossil material
Everything Dinosaur’s commissioned Sinopliosaurus illustration. This drawing will feature on the Sinopliosaurus fact sheet that the company is producing. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus Reviewed
William starts his review by examining the head of the figure, he states that the model has one of the most exquisite Spinosauridae head sculpts, a little longer and finer than a typical Baryonyx figure, which was probably used a reference. The placement of the nostrils is praised, and William highlighted the sagittal crest.
William commented that the head was
“Set atop of a superb but classical ‘S’ shaped spinosaurid neck.”
The Main Body
William’s review of the body stated that Chongzuo shares a similar Baryonychinae body plan. The presence of gastralia in the sculpt and the musculature of the figure was pointed out.
The neural spines giving this theropod a distinctive hump were commented upon William praised the skin texture and the tail length.
PNSO are adding a second member of the Spinosauridae family to their mid-size model range. Joining Essien the Spinosaurus is Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus.
Forelimbs and Hindlimbs
The review continues with a statement that the Spinosauridae retained the three-clawed hands of their Megalosauroidea ancestors and the limb proportions of the Sinopliosaurus figure are highlighted. When commenting on the size of the manual unguals (claws), it was pointed out the one of the claws (digit I), should be larger and more recurved than the others. The hindlimbs are described as “outstanding” and a comment is made about the support stand (supplied) being helpful in stabilising the model.
PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus measures 29.3 cm long and stands 8.5 cm high.
Colour and Texture of the Model
The dominate colour is a russet beige with slightly lighter shading on the underside of the figure, the upper jaw is a grey colour and there are a series of stripes running along the flanks and to the tip of the animal’s tail.
When commenting on the sagittal crest, William states:
“A dash of yellow highlights the sagittal crest which draws the eye to it, the eyes of the model are jet black, and the stained ivory teeth look very natural.”
PNSO Chongzuo the Sinopliosaurus has an articulated jaw. The genus was originally erected under the presumption that the fossil material including isolated teeth represented a pliosaur (marine reptile).
The reviewer went onto to list theropods ascribed to the Baryonychinae: Baryonyx walkeri Suchomimus tenerensis Ceratosuchops inferodios Riparovenator milnerae Iberospinus natarioi Vallibonavenatrix cani Suchosaurus cultridens Ostafrikasaurus crassiserratus? White Rock Spinosaurus
Members of the Spinosaurinae clade were then listed: Ichthyovenator laosensis Irritator challengeri Sinopliosaurus fusuiensis? Camarillasaurus cirugedae Oxalaia quilombensis Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
Sinopliosaurus Discovery and Classification
As with earlier model reviews, William provided information on the discovery of Sinopliosaurus and its taxonomy.
Time Period: Early Cretaceous 129–113 million years ago.
Location: Southern China into North-eastern Thailand.
The reviewer then commented on the fossil discovery that eventually led to the proposal of a Chinese spinosaurid genus, the first in the country. He also hoped that further fossil discoveries would be made providing palaeontologists with a more complete understanding of this dinosaur.
When explaining the differences between different clades defined within the Spinosauridae it was stated that Members of the Spinosauridae exhibit a skull with a profile similar to that seen within the crocodilians. Baryonychinae have a greater number of teeth as compared to their Spinosaurini cousins. But they all share the unique terminal rosette hook which sets them apart from all other major theropod groups.
All members have their nostrils held higher upon their skulls to aid with the hunting of fish.
Our thanks to budding young artist Caldey who sent into Everything Dinosaur her wonderful illustration of the head of an Atrociraptor dinosaur. An Atrociraptor featured in the last “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” movie to be released (summer 2022). Our thanks to Caldey for sending in her detailed dinosaur drawing.
The head and neck of Atrociraptor (Atrociraptor panthera) a dinosaur which featured in the sixth instalment of the “Jurassic Park/Jurassic World” movie franchise. Picture by Caldey.
Atrociraptor marshalli
Named and described in 2004 from fossilised jaws, teeth and fragmentary skull bones (Currie and Varricchio), Atrociraptor marshalli is known from the Horseshoe Canyon Formation of south-western Alberta (Campanian to Maastrichtian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous). It is one of several small (less than two metres long), theropod dinosaurs known from these strata. Isolated teeth suggest that Atrociraptor (or a dromaeosaurid very like it), may have been present throughout all parts of the Horseshoe Canyon Formation from the Drumheller Member through to the youngest – the Whitemud Member.
A scale drawing of the dromaeosaurid Atrociraptor marshalli.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Atrociraptor Dinosaur
The illustration by Caldey shows the deep, robust skull associated with this genus and the texturing around the muzzle, over the eyes and at the back of the head is exquisite. We congratulate Caldey on her most impressive Atrociraptor drawing.
The eye looks extremely realistic, and the colour scheme chosen by Caldey is striking.
Our thanks once again to Caldey for sending in her drawing to Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur in collaboration with our chums at CollectA announce the fourth and final batch of new CollectA prehistoric animal models for 2023. Two new prehistoric animal figures have been announced, both scale models, one a recently named dinosaur, the second the first replica of an ancient amphibian to be made by CollectA namely:
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Koolasuchus cleelandi – due to be available mid-2023.
CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Stegouros elengassen – due to be available mid-2023.
New CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models
New CollectA prehistoric animal models for 2023. Koolasuchus cleelandi (top), the CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Stegouros elengassen (bottom). These new CollectA models should be available from Everything Dinosaur by the middle of 2023. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
CollectA Deluxe Koolasuchus cleelandi
The Koolasuchus figure is the first prehistoric amphibian model to be made by CollectA. It was the last of its kind, surviving in the fast-flowing rivers of what was to become Australia some fifty million years after its closest relatives had become extinct. In the notes that accompanied the model photographs, reference is made to the Koolasuchus figure having paired tusks and tiny teeth embedded into the roof of its huge mouth, anatomical features found in other temnospondyls and presumed present in this ambush predator.
The CollectA Deluxe (Other Prehistoric Animals) 1:20 scale Koolasuchus cleelandi model, due to be in stock at Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2023.
The tail is deep and broad, which would have helped propel this three to five-metre-long carnivore through the water. The tail looks to have a few nicks in it, very appropriate for a replica of a large, mature animal. The mottled green markings on the model would have helped to camouflage this amphibian as it lurked amongst the weeds waiting to catch its next meal. Those formidable, different-sized teeth look most impressive too.
CollectA Deluxe 1:6 Scale Stegouros
The final new for 2023 prehistoric animal figure to be announced is a replica of the bizarre, armoured dinosaur Stegouros (S. elengassen), which was formally, scientifically described in December 2021.
Roaming the southernmost parts of Chile in the Late Cretaceous, Stegouros demonstrates skull features that reflect a close affinity with the Ankylosauria, but the postcranial skeleton shows more primitive stegosaur-like characteristics.
The CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Stegouros elengassen dinosaur model – due to be available mid-2023.
The unique tail club, reminiscent of an Aztec warrior’s club (macuahuitl) is depicted along with the dermal armour and the skin texture looks amazing. The model has been posed as if it is about to swing its tail. The white flash over the eye reflects the view that facial markings could have been important visual signals to denote maturity and the health of an individual. The figure has a declared scale of 1/6th.
CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Koolasuchus (Other Prehistoric Animals) – length 21.4 cm, height 4 cm (approximately).
CollectA Deluxe 1:6 scale Stegouros (CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Deluxe) – length 30.5 cm, tail height 9.5 cm (approximately).
This exciting pair of Cretaceous prehistoric animal models should be available from Everything Dinosaur in the middle of 2023.
This concludes the new for 2023 CollectA prehistoric animal announcements.
To view Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the first batch of new CollectA prehistoric animals for 2023 to be announced (Ceratosuchops, Hadrosaurus and Triceratops horridus – confronting: New CollectA Models for 2023 (Part 1).
To read our blog post about the second batch of new CollectA prehistoric animal figures for 2023: Ruyangosaurus, Brighstoneus and Anomalocaris: New CollectA Models for 2023 (Part 2).
In the on-going industrial dispute between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union further days of industrial action have been announced. There will be no parcel collection services by Royal Mail from our warehouse today (November 24th, 2022) and tomorrow (November 25th, 2022). Further strike action is planned for the end of November and into December.
Everything Dinosaur is doing all it can to implement contingency plans but delays to parcel deliveries over the lead up to the festive season are inevitable.
We have compiled a list of the days when industrial action has been scheduled:
Everything Dinosaur has listed the days of scheduled industrial action by the Communication Workers Union (November/December 2022) and urges customers to shop early for the festive season. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
A Statement from Royal Mail
The management of Royal Mail have provided the following statement:
“The CWU has formally notified Royal Mail they plan to call on their members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take national strike action on Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December 2022.”
Royal Mail management added:
“Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but we cannot fully replace the daily efforts of our frontline workforce. We’ll be doing what we can to keep services running, but we are sorry this planned strike action is likely to cause you some disruption.”
Industrial Action at Royal Mail
Royal Mail has stated that after previous strikes services have been able to recover quite quickly. However, the end of November and December are the busiest times for the company, and we suspect that the industrial action is going to cause severe delays and disruption.
We at Everything Dinosaur are doing all we can to find alternative collection/delivery options, and we are switching to other carriers to help mitigate the impact of these strikes, but we urge everyone to shop early for the festive season to avoid disappointment.
Everything Dinosaur team members are putting in place contingency plans to minimise the disruption to customers caused by the industrial action at Royal Mail. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur has won the Excellence in Customer Service Award at the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. This year, a record number of entries were received by South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and all the finalists had fantastic records in customer service, but our dedication and passion for customer service impressed the judges and we are truly delighted to receive this accolade.
Everything Dinosaur has won the Excellence in Customer Service Award at the annual South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Customer Service Award
Everything Dinosaur has been a Chamber of Commerce member for ten years, it is wonderful to receive recognition, in what are, extremely challenging times for British businesses.
Commenting on the award, Mike, who together with Sue (Tyrannosaurus Sue), founded the dinosaur model and toy mail order company back in 2005, praised the other nominees in the category and thanked KPI Recruiting Ltd who sponsored the award.
Mike and Sue of Everything Dinosaur proudly show their certificate and trophy after winning the Excellence in Customer Service Award at the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Award-winning Customer Service
Mike added:
“We have been extremely grateful for the support and assistance the Chamber has given us over the years. They have played a vital role in our success, especially when it comes to developing international sales. Thanks to the help we have received and our wonderful customers, here’s one dinosaur company that is far from extinct!”
Sue with the trophy and the certificate from the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The UK-based dinosaur and prehistoric animal model mail order company has customers in over one hundred countries and Everything Dinosaur plans to offer even more prehistoric animal replicas and figures next year.
Everything Dinosaur team members have continued their series of YouTube videos highlighting the new for 2023 CollectA prehistoric animal models by creating a video that introduces the 1:100 scale Ruyangosaurus, the Brighstoneus and the Anomalocaris figure. This video focuses on the second set of new for 2023 CollectA prehistoric animal models to be announced.
Part 2 of the video series from Everything Dinosaur highlighting the new for 2023 CollectA prehistoric animal models.
CollectA Prehistoric Animal Models
In this slightly longer video than usual (running time about nineteen minutes), we look at the three new CollectA models (CollectA Deluxe Ruyangosaurus, CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Brighstoneus and the Anomalocaris in the Other Prehistoric Animals series) and discuss some of the science behind the replicas.
New CollectA prehistoric animal models. Anomalocaris (top left), the CollectA Deluxe 1:100 scale Ruyangosaurus (right) and the ornithopod Brighstoneus (bottom left). All three new CollectA models should be available from Everything Dinosaur in early 2023.
The Video Contents
The video has a running length of more than nineteen minutes, but it has been divided up into helpful sections so that viewers can skip parts and focus on the areas that most interest them.
The question posed in the video is:
Given the introduction of an Anomalocaris model, what other ancient invertebrate would you like CollectA to make a model of?
We will collate the comments received and pass them onto our chums at CollectA.
Video Contents 0:00 – CollectA Models for 2023. 0:38 – Three New Prehistoric Animals! 1:28 – Subscribe! 1:38 – Ruyangosaurus (1:100)! 6:21 – Brighstoneus Model. 10:45 – Anomalocaris canadensis! 16:38 – In Stock Early When? 17:32 – Question of the Day! 18:12 – Forthcoming CollectA Announcements. 18:55 – New Models Blog Post! 19:06 – Buy CollectA Figures!
More Video Reviews to Come
Everything Dinosaur plans to create a video to showcase the new marine reptile figures that CollectA announced recently (Shastosaurus and the 1:40 scale CollectA Deluxe Mosasaurus model). In addition, the company will add a fourth video to this short series when the final batch of new for 2023 CollectA prehistoric animal models are announced.
A new species of Chinese dromaeosaurid dinosaur has been described based on superbly preserved remains found in Inner Mongolia. The new dromaeosaurid species has been named Daurlong wangi and a phylogenetic assessment suggests that this dinosaur was closely related to Tianyuraptor and Zhenyuanlong.
Daurlong wangi holotype fossil material, a new dromaeosaurid from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Biota of Inner Mongolia, China. The whole specimen (a), close-up view of the skull (b) scale bar = 2 cm, with (c) detail of the orbit scale bar = 1 cm. Traces of feathers associated with trunk (d) and (e) the preserved remains of a frog in association with the dromaeosaurid. Picture credit: Wang et al.
Daurlong wangi
Described by the scientists, which include researchers from Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and the Inner Mongolia Museum of Natural History, as a mid-sized dromaeosaurid, Daurlong is estimated to have been around 1.5 metres long. The nearly complete specimen comes from Lower Cretaceous exposures of the Longjiang Formation in the Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner (Inner Mongolia). The fossilised remains were excavated from Pigeon Hill, apt as this feathered dinosaur was related to modern birds (Aves). Both birds and the Dromaeosauridae are members of the Eumaniraptora clade.
New Dromaeosaurid Species
The binomial scientific name for this new dromaeosaurid is derived from the indigenous Daur Nation and from the Chinese word for dragon. The species name honours the director of the Inner Mongolia Museum of Natural History, Mr Wang Junyou.
The Daurlong wangi holotype – specimen number IMMNH-PV00731. Skull (a, b), left scapula (c), sternum and left hand (d, e), right forelimb (f). Reconstruction in (g) by M. Auditore (CC-BY 4.0). Note scale bar in skeletal reconstruction = 10 cm. Picture credit: Wang et al.
Finding a Frog
Some evidence of plumage is preserved along the top of the back of the skull, around the trunk and along the edges of the tail. The scientists writing in the academic journal “Scientific Reports” found no evidence of preserved melanosomes in association with the feather filaments.
A bluish layer located towards the back of the rib cage has been putatively described as remnants of the intestines. Such a soft tissue discovery would be exceptionally rare within the Dinosauria, and could help inform palaeontologists over the origins and evolution of the digestive tract of birds and other closely related genera.
The fossilised remains of a small frog were found in the same slab as the Daurlong specimen. Everything Dinosaur is not aware of any gut contents indicating that this small, meat-eater ate frogs, but it is very likely that Daurlong would have consumed amphibians such as frogs as well as lizards and small mammals.
A scale drawing of Zhenyuanlong suni. The newly described dromaeosaurid Daurlong wangi is thought to have been closely related to Zhenyuanlong. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The Beasts of the Mesozoic range of articulated prehistoric animal figures contains several examples of Cretaceous dromaeosaurids.
The scientific paper: “Intestinal preservation in a birdlike dinosaur supports conservatism in digestive canal evolution among theropods” by Xuri Wang, Andrea Cau, Bin Guo, Feimin Ma, Gele Qing and Yichuan Liu published in Scientific Reports.
