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).

Papo Model Retirements 2019

At Everything Dinosaur, we have had lots of interest already from customers, social media followers and blog readers asking about new for 2019 models from Papo.  We are not able to publish this information as yet, it remains embargoed.  However, when we can, we will put up information and pictures, all part of our plans to inform people about what is new and upcoming in terms of 2019 model introductions from manufacturers next year.

In the meantime, it is sensible to focus on those models and figures that are being withdrawn and are going out of production.  Papo will be retiring two figures from their “Les Dinosaures” range next year, ironically neither of the models represent a dinosaur.

Papo is retiring:

• Archaeopteryx
• Tupuxuara

Papo Model Retirements – Archaeopteryx and Tupuxuara

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Winged Wonders Out of Production

Both these models represent animals from the Mesozoic that were capable of powered flight.  Of the two, palaeontologists believe that the pterosaur, Tupuxuara was probably more confident in the air.  Some of the latest research on the enigmatic “Urvogel” suggests that Archaeopteryx was actually quite a poor flier.  Whatever their volant abilities, both these figures are being retired and are now out of production.  However, thanks to Everything Dinosaur collectors and model fans are being pre-warned about their withdrawal.  There is still time to add these two models to your Papo figure collection.

Papo Archaeopteryx

The Papo Archaeopteryx figure was introduced in 2014 and at the time of its introduction, it received a lot of positive feedback as representations of Archaeopteryx lithographica were, if you pardon the pun, a bit thin on the ground.  Sadly, after nearly five years, this model has flapped its wings for the last time and has been officially withdrawn.

The Papo Archaeopteryx Model Received Lots of Praise When it was Introduced in 2014

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of Papo dinosaurs and prehistoric animal figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Papo Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals.

At the time of this model’s introduction, Everything Dinosaur published several reviews of this figure including a video review.  These releases have been seen thousands of times.

Papo Tupuxuara

It is always a pleasure to see more models representing the Pterosauria being introduced, so the loss of the Papo Tupuxuara is a big blow.  This figure was only introduced in 2015, alongside the Papo young Apatosaurus model.  Three species of Tupuxuara have been named to date, the first being described in 1988.  These pterosaurs are synonymous with Lower Cretaceous sediments found in north-eastern Brazil.

The Papo Tupuxuara is Flying Off into the Sunset

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

One of the reasons suggested for the withdrawal of the Papo Tupuxuara figure, is the difficulty encountered when trying to pronounce the name of this flying reptile.  Tupuxuara was named after a spirit referred to within the culture of the local Tupi people of north-eastern Brazil.  Tupuxuara is pronounced “Too-pooh-hwar-ah”.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.