Our thanks to model collector and dinosaur fan William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of the recently introduced PNSO Maxim the Baryonyx model. William explained that he was delighted to be able to acquire an accurate Baryonyx dinosaur model. In addition to reviewing the figure, he also provided a summary of how the first fossilised remains of this spinosaurid were discovered.
Wandering close to the water. An image of the new for 2024 Maxim the Baryonyx dinosaur model.
The Discovery of Baryonyx walkeri
According to the reviewer, it was a brisk January morning in 1983, when amateur fossil hunter William Walker visited one of his favourite fossil hunting sites. He parked his trusty, green Vauxhall Chevette at the Smokejack Clay Pit and proceeded to hunt for fossils. He was a plumber by profession but at heart he was a palaeontologist following the tradition of Victorian gentlefolk who documented the flora and fauna of the past.
A rugby-ball-sized nodule was spotted with a partial claw exposed on its surface along with the associated phalanx and a fragment of rib bone. William broke the nodule apart with his rock hammer and the fossils were taken home and carefully cleaned and prepared. He had found the claw of an unknown dinosaur. Having discussed what he should do with his daughter Rita and her husband Trevor, it was decided to contact the London Natural History Museum.
Dr Angela Milner’s secretary was the first person at the museum to view the fossil discovery. Dr Milner was contacted and once she had examined the specimen it was agreed that a field team led by palaeontologists Alan J. Charig and Angela C. Milner would be despatched to the site to search for more fossil remains.
The mounted cast of the Baryonyx skeleton on display at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Named and Described in 1986
The field team worked for many weeks. Eventually two tons of siltstone was taken from the site and the careful removal of the matrix to reveal the fossil material commenced. Ultimately, the research team recovered almost seventy percent of the skeleton. It was the most complete dinosaur skeleton found in the UK. Baryonyx walkeri was formally named and described in 1986 (Charig and Milner).
Media outlets nicknamed the new discovery “Claws” trying to add a splash movie monster magic to heighten interest. Analysis of stomach contents revealed the remains of a fish and a juvenile iguanodontid’s rib bone. An example of “surf and turf”. Thirty-eight years later, PNSO have introduced an excellent replica of Baryonyx walkeri.
A trio of Baryonyx boxes. The new PNSO Maxim the Baryonyx models arrived on the day of the anniversary of the scientific publication announcing Baryonyx walkeri (published in the journal Nature). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animal models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: PNSO Dinosaur Models.
The PNSO Maxim the Baryonyx Model Review
William began his review by commenting on the head sculpt. He explained that the head of the figure was accurate with nostrils in the right position, a sagittal crest and that conspicuous kinked jaw. The eye colouration and painting of the mouth were praised. The scales on the body were highlighted and William commented upon the skin folds and the presence of a cloaca.
The proportions of the forearms and hindlimbs were praised and the only criticism offered concerned the size of the claw on the first digit. William thought this claw should have been larger and more robust. The colouration of the figure was described as light olive with a strong wash of pale orange over the neck, flanks and stomach. The figure has black stripes breaking up the orange and olive colours.
William confirmed the scale as 1:35 and explained that the model measured over nine inches long and stood three and a half inches high. The PNSO Maxim the Baryonyx figure is supplied with an acrylic support stand, colour booklet and a poster.
The reviewer went onto provide some information about Baryonyx walkeri.
Time Period: 139.8–112 million years ago.
Early Cretaceous, Weald Clay Formation of Surrey.
Location: United Kingdom (Surrey, England).
Year of discovery: 1983.
Classification: Theropoda.
Superfamily: Spinosauridae.
Family: Baryonychinae.
Type species: Baryonyx walkeri.
Weight: 1.2-2 tons.
Length: 25-33 foot.
Height: 8 foot.
The Palaeoenvironment
William described the environment in which Baryonyx lived as being similar to a Mediterranean climate. There were marshes, mudflats and shallow lagoons. A modern analogue could be the subtropical Camargue coastal region of southern France. Other Baryonychinae are known such as Ceratosuchops inferodios and Riparovenator milnerae (named in honour of the late Dr Angela Milner).
To read more about the life and career of Dr Angela Milner: Paying Tribute to Dr Angela Milner.
The reviewer stated that other theropods were known from the Wealden Group such as the carcharodontosaurid Neovenator salerii.
William commented that ornithischian dinosaurs were also present referring to iguanodontids and the armoured dinosaur Polacanthus foxii.
In conclusion, he stated:
“The arrival of this brace of Baryonychinae concludes my grail quest of nearly a decade to own an accurate example and it was truly worth the years of patiently waiting for one to be released.”
In Praise of Everything Dinosaur
William reserved his final comments for Everything Dinosaur. He thanked the company for bringing the Maxim the Baryonyx model into stock and he commented:
“Purchasing from Everything Dinosaur is fast, safe and secure. There is no nonsense. Customer service and care is of the highest level.”
Our thanks to William for sending his PNSO Baryonyx dinosaur model review.
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