New CollectA Models 2019 (Part 4)

Today, we conclude our look at the new for 2019 CollectA models by revealing the last of the figures scheduled to be released next year.  We also provide information on a prehistoric animal play set that has an augmented reality (AR) component.

• CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Elasmotherium model (available mid 2019).
• CollectA Prehistoric Animals Playset with Augmented Reality (available mid 2019).

The New for 2019 CollectA Deluxe Elasmotherium Model

Picture credit: CollectA

The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Scale Elasmotherium Model

As one member of the Rhinocerotoidea superfamily is retired and out of production (the CollectA Deluxe Paraceratherium model), so it is replaced by another member of the Rhinocerotoidea, albeit from a different branch of this large taxonomic grouping, the rhinocerotid Elasmotherium and what a fantastic looking replica it is!  Several species of Elasmotherium have been identified from the numerous fossils found in Europe and Asia and CollectA have chosen to create a model of the largest known species, and what is thought to be the largest true rhino to have ever lived, the giant, five-metre-long Elasmotherium sibiricum.

Commenting on this new Deluxe figure, designer Anthony Beeson stated:

“I thought that it would be nice to do a toy Elasmotherium sibiricum for a change rather than the usual Woolly Rhinoceros.  Our Elasmotherium is quite hefty, I plumped for a hairy animal and have based the presumed horn on the Palaeolithic cave painting from Rouffignac in France that is thought to represent the creature often referred to as ‘the Siberian unicorn’.”

The Rouffignac limestone caves (Grotte de Rouffignac), are located in the Dordogne (south-western France) and this location was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1979.  The cave walls depict more than 250 drawings attributed to the Magdalenian culture of the Late Pleistocene.  Many different types of animal are depicted with Woolly Mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius), predominating but there are a number of cave paintings that show Woolly Rhinos (Coelodonta antiquitatis) and one image that illustrates a powerfully built rhinoceros with a single, very large nose horn that has been interpreted as representing Elasmotherium.

The CollectA Deluxe Elasmotherium Compared to the Stylised Rhinoceros Cave Painting from Grotte de Rouffignac

Picture credit: CollectA/Wikipedia

To view the current range of CollectA Deluxe figures and replicas: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life.

The CollectA Prehistoric Animal Playset

CollectA will also be introducing a prehistoric animal themed playset in 2019.  Sources close to CollectA have stated that this is to be a 38-piece playset with a dozen CollectA dinosaur cards with augmented reality (the figures come to life via the AR technology).

The New for 2019 CollectA Prehistoric Animal Playset

Picture credit: CollectA

This playset is believed to consist of, a large playmat (estimated size 37 cm by 29 cm), two prehistoric trees, twelve mini-dinosaur figures, the twelve AR cards and a further ten accessories that permit a degree of playset landscape customisation such as the building of a volcano, a small hill or some coastal features of different shapes and sizes.  This cleverly constructed playset comes in a handy carry case and skilfully blends traditional prehistoric animal figures with cutting-edge augmented reality technology.

Model Measurements

• The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Elasmotherium – length 25.5 cm, height 13.6 cm.
• CollectA Prehistoric Animal Playset – length of playmat 37 cm, width 29 cm.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“CollectA have continued to innovate and extend their range of replicas.  Over the next few months they will be adding scale models of Edaphosaurus, Baryonyx, Carnotaurus, the amazing pterosaur Caiuajara and a scale model of Elasmotherium.  In addition, we can expect to see Fukuiraptor and Borealopelta make an appearance plus a new mini-set of prehistoric animals and a prehistoric animal playset in which to place them.  Next year is going to be an exciting year for model collectors.”

To view the other three articles that introduce the rest of the new for 2019 prehistoric animal models from CollectA.

New CollectA models (Part 1): Part 1 (New CollectA models for 2019).

New CollectA models (Part 2):  Part 2 (New CollectA models for 2019).

New CollectA models (Part 3): Part 3 (New CollectA models for 2019).

New CollectA Models 2019 (Part 3)

Today, we post up the third part of our series of articles showcasing the new for 2019 prehistoric animal models from CollectA and part three introduces a pair of theropod dinosaurs from very different parts of the world.

The two new dinosaur figures are:

• A CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Baryonyx (available mid 2019).
• A CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular range Fukuiraptor (available mid 2019).

The New for 2019 CollectA Deluxe 1:40 Scale Baryonyx Model

Picture credit: CollectA

CollectA Deluxe Baryonyx with an Articulated Jaw

The CollectA Deluxe 1/40th scale Baryonyx has an articulated jaw and model collectors will note that the back has a considerable “humped” appearance.  This is because this model has been created with a view to supporting the idea that this dinosaur had elongated neural spines on its dorsal vertebrae.

The holotype Baryonyx walkeri fossil material collected from a clay pit in Surrey, represents one of the most complete theropod dinosaur skeletons ever found in Europe, even so, many of the back bones were incomplete and broken.  On a visit to the Isle of Wight, model designer Anthony Beeson had a conversation about Baryonyx with Steve Hutt, formerly with the Isle of Wight County Museums Service and a leading advocate for the establishment of a palaeontology museum on the Isle of Wight.

Steve was working on some recently discovered large theropod vertebra that had been assigned to the Baryonchidae family.  So, as a result, this figure and the other Baryonyx figures including the 1:40 scale model introduced in 2009, have a distinctive hump.

A Close-up View of the Skull and Jaws of the CollectA Deluxe Baryonyx

Picture credit: CollectA

That articulated jaw has been designed to reflect the distinctive jaw-line and dentition associated with this large predator from the Lower Cretaceous of Europe.  As a dinosaur associated with aquatic environments, Anthony in collaboration with his colleague Matthias has given the Baryonyx model webbing between the toes, as befits a semi-aquatic animal.

Commenting on the hump-backed Baryonyx reconstruction, model designer Anthony Beeson explained:

“Because this new idea [elongated neural spines] did not appear in general reconstructions of Baryonyx, in 2006 I commissioned John Sibbick, who then lived nearby in Bath and was a friend of one of my close friends, to paint me a reconstruction of everyday life on the Isle of Wight in the Lower Cretaceous.  I wanted him to show a Baryonyx attending to a dead Iguanodon whilst about to be menaced by the recently discovered Neovenator, while other known Isle of Wight species went about their business in the background.”

The Artwork Commissioned Depicting the Isle of Wight in the Lower Cretaceous

Picture credit: John Sibbick with permission from Anthony Beeson

CollectA Fukuiraptor – The “Thief of Fukui”

The second carnivorous dinosaur to be announced this week comes from a very different part of the world, the fossils of Fukuiraptor (pronounced Foo-kwee-rap-tor), come from Honshu Island, the largest island in Japan.  Ironically, although Baryonyx and Fukuiraptor lived thousands of miles apart, they lived at roughly the same time during the Early Cretaceous.  The CollectA Fukuiraptor will be a new addition to the “Dinosaurs Popular” range.

New for 2019 the CollectA Fukuiraptor Dinosaur Model

Picture credit: CollectA

Mistaken for a Dromaeosaur

When first discovered the heavy hand claws were thought to have come from the foot and, as the genus name indicates, it was considered to be a dromaeosaurid.  However, although its exact taxonomic affinity is debated, most palaeontologists consider this theropod to be a member of the Megaraptora clade.  The design team at CollectA have based their replica on the holotype material and the restored skeleton on display at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (Japan).  This dinosaur was named and described 2000 AD, its binomial name reflects the location of the fossil site and the geological formation where the fossils were found – Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis (from Fukui Prefecture and the Kitadani Formation).

Commenting on the model, Anthony Beeson stated:

“In our reconstruction I have followed the idea that megoraptorans are allosauroids.  I wanted to convey that it is a lively and lightly built carnivore.  The holotype is of an immature example and so I have scaled it up to presumed adult size.”

Is the CollectA Fukuiraptor a Scale Model?

In some of the documentation and technical files we have received from CollectA, the Age of Dinosaurs Fukuiraptor is described as being a 1:40 scale replica.  The adult size of Fukuiraptor is not known, but it is estimated that adults could have reached lengths of around five to six metres, so at a fraction under fifteen centimetres long, it could be argued that the CollectA Fukuiraptor is a 1/40th scale model.

Model Measurements

• CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Baryonyx length = 26 cm, height = 8.2 cm.
• CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Fukuiraptor length = 14.7 cm and height 6.8 cm.

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe models: CollectA Deluxe Models.

To view the range of CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular: CollectA Prehistoric Life.

For part 1 of our new for 2019 CollectA series: CollectA New Models for 2019 – Part 1.

For part 2 of our new for 2019 CollectA series: CollectA New Models for 2019 – Part 2.

New CollectA Models 2019 (Part 2)

Here is the second part of our series of articles introducing the new for 2019 prehistoric animal models from CollectA and fittingly, part two features two new figures to be added to the range.

The two new prehistoric animal figures are:

• A 1:20 scale replica of the sail-backed reptile Edaphosaurus (available first quarter 2019).
• A 1:40 scale replica of the “meat-eating bull” Carnotaurus (available first quarter 2019).

The New for 2019 CollectA 1:20 Scale Edaphosaurus Model

The CollectA Deluxe 1:20 Scale Edaphosaurus Model

CollectA have expressed a wish to increase the number of Palaeozoic creatures represented in their range, hence the introduction of the Permian pelycosaur Edaphosaurus.  This beautiful figure is a great accompaniment to the Dimetrodon model that came out last year.  It is great to see another synapsid introduced into the CollectA range, especially a herbivore.

Commenting upon the 1:20 scale Deluxe Edaphosaurus model, designer Anthony Beeson stated:

“I have tried to make the Deluxe Edaphosaurus a more active animal than generally portrayed and again less sprawling.  My version of the sail is quite thickly fleshed, unlike the sails of Dimetrodons and you will see that only the knobs of the cross-pieces protrude from the sides.  I have always liked Edaphosaurus and never really understood why there are so few toy versions around.  The shape of the sail is very pleasing.”

The CollectA Deluxe 1:40 Scale Carnotaurus

2019 will see CollectA add to their collection of abelisaurid dinosaurs.  Joining the Rugops, Rajasaurus and the Majungasaurus will be a spectacular Carnotaurus figure.  Unlike the existing members of the Abelisauridae within the CollectA portfolio, this will be a scale model (1/40th), the first of this type of dinosaur to be added to CollectA’s Deluxe range.

The New for 2019 CollectA 1:40 Scale Carnotaurus Dinosaur Model

Fans Requesting Carnotaurus

Fans of the CollectA dinosaurs have been requesting a Carnotaurus for quite a while.  It is wonderful to see a replica of this Argentinian giant from the Late Cretaceous added to the scale model range.  Dinosaur enthusiasts will probably know that skin impressions have been found in association with the fossils of this dinosaur.

A considerable portion of the right side of the dinosaur left a skin impression which was preserved in the rock.  The design team at CollectA have taken great care to ensure that the texture of their Carnotaurus reflects what is known about the skin of this carnivore, although, the striking flashes of colour on the head and neck are purely speculative.

The short, deep skull and those amazing horns that give this dinosaur its name have been beautifully crafted.  Note the use of a base to support the figure, this has permitted the sculpting team to give the Carnotaurus appropriately sized feet, after all, this dinosaur was nicknamed by palaeontologists studying the locomotion of this theropod, the “Dinosaur Speed Demon” .

Commenting on the introduction of a Carnotaurus, designer Anthony Beeson remarked:

“The Deluxe Carnotaurus is the result of repeated requests from fans for a CollectA version of this creature.  I was never very keen to do it in the past as, when we started, almost every firm was producing models in the wake of the Disney dinosaur film and Jurassic Park.  I am glad that we waited.  I have tried to emphasise in the tail the shape proposed in the work of Currie and Persons and the fact that the caudofemoralis muscle in Carnotaurus was very large enabling great speed to be maintained.”

It was W. Scott Persons IV and Phil Currie who looked at the tail muscle structure in Carnotaurus sastrei and published a paper in 2011, suggesting that this dinosaur had a larger caudofemoralis muscle than any other Theropod described at the time – hence the “Dinosaur Speed Demon” nickname.  This muscle provides the power to help move the dinosaur forward and such a huge muscle indicated that Carnotaurus was capable of great bursts of speed.  Ironically, straight line running was its speciality, the shape of the muscle and the tail bones supporting it suggested that Carnotaurus was not so good at making tight turns.

We suspect that both the new 1:40 scale Deluxe Carnotaurus and the 1:20 Deluxe Edaphosaurus will be flying off our shelves in the warehouse when they come into stock in early 2019.

Model Measurements

Here are those all-important model measurements:

• CollectA Edaphosaurus 1:20 scale – length 20 cm, height of sail just under 8 cm.
• Carnotaurus Deluxe 1:40 scale The Age of Dinosaurs – length 28 cm, height 10.5 cm.

To view the current range of CollectA Deluxe scale prehistoric animal models including that superb Dimetrodon: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life.

To read about the first of the 2019 models to be introduced: New CollectA Models 2019 (Part 1).