Our thanks to dinosaur model collector Carl who sent into Everything Dinosaur his review of the new Haolonggood Stegosaurus models.  As well as sending in his review, Carl kindly provided some information about the Stegosaurus genus.  In addition, we received some photos of his recently acquired models too.

A pair of Stegosaurus dinosaur models (Haolonggood figures. The model known as Sun Li (left) and Hao Si Wen (right). Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

Reviewing Haolonggood Stegosaurus Models

Here is the review sent into Everything Dinosaur:

I’d like to thank the award-winning team at the exceptional Everything Dinosaur for supplying these beautiful representations of the Late Jurassic thyreophoran clade – the majestic Stegosaurus in 1:35 scale from Haolonggood.

In 1877 the name Stegosaurus was first described as the “roofed lizard”, but Haolonggood have created a model called Stegosaurus ungulatus. In Greek and Latin, it means “clawed roofed lizard”.

Greek – stego = roofed.
Greek – saurus = lizard.
Latin – unguis = claw, hoof, nail.

It was originally thought that the dermal plates covered the animal’s body like the tiles on a roof. Hence the genus name meaning “roofed lizard”. This was not the case. Actually, the plates are not fused to the spinal vertebrae of the Stegosaurus skeleton.

In books, TV and film productions the plates are depicted on the top of the animal’s body. The plates could have been used for regulating body temperature, helping to keep the Stegosaurus cool in hot, humid climates. Or perhaps the plates were used to attract a mate, or to provide a threat display to deter an attack from predatory dinosaurs. I don’t think that anyone will know for sure, but I am confident our imaginations will fill the gaps.

A closer view of the Haolonggood Stegosaurus figure Sun Li. Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

The “Thagomizer” and its Origins

Stegosaurus plates had an irregular arrangement along the top of the animal’s body, from the base of the head to almost the end of the tail. At the end of the tail, it had large spikes. This arrangement of spikes is referred to as a “Thagomizer”. What a fantastic name!

To learn how the “Thagomizer” term came into common usage: How the “Thagomizer” was Named.

These spikes were no doubt defensive weapons. They were used to protect the animal and any offspring from theropod dinosaurs.

Haolonggood have done an impressive, and highly detailed sculpt for their take on Stegosaurus. There are three colour variants to choose from. Two of the three have a flamboyant paint application. However, once in the hand the colour scheme is not as vibrant as the promotional images.

A graceful gait, a high hip girdle as well as long hind legs and an almost horizontal tail gives the appearance of a very elegant animal indeed. A very narrow head with its small beak and the throat armour are also nicely done.

View the Haolonggood range of prehistoric animal models: Haolonggood Prehistoric Animals.

The Haolonggood Stegosaurus model (Hao Si Wen) on display. Picture credit: Carl.

Picture credit: Carl

The Colour of Stegosaurs

I think a lot of herbivorous dinosaur taxa would not have had vibrant and flamboyant colouration. Such colour patterns could easily attract predatory dinosaurs. So, I don’t think that would have been the case. Camouflage would have been best and a safer colour design in nature, whether it was an extant animal or an animal that lived millions of years ago.

Nonetheless, Haolonggood’s version of Stegosaurus are still impressive figures. I would like to add that for anyone who is interested in the world of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, please make your purchases from the fantastic team members at Everything Dinosaur.

Trust me, you will never be disappointed in the service that is provided.

I hope this review has been informative to some degree and enjoyable for all the people who are fascinated by dinosaurs.

I would like to send my sincere thanks and gratitude to the ever-hard-working team members at the simply exceptional Everything Dinosaur – thank you!

Our thanks to Carl for sending in his review and photographs of the Haolonggood Stegosaurus models.

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

Our thanks to William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of one of his recent purchases. He had recently acquired the new Beasts of the Cenozoic black Smilodon articulated figure.  This replica of Smilodon populator has twenty-one points of articulation.  The model is supplied with two interchangeable heads.  One head depicts this predator with a gaping mouth, the other provides a more passive closed mouth expression.  William commented that he loved both head sculpts.  However, he expressed a preference for the gaping mouth look with the articulated lower jaw.

He commented:

“The fearful wide maw of roaring is how we picture the Smilodon in the heat of action with prey or foe.”

The packaging was praised along with the beautiful artwork by the renowned palaeoartist Raph Lomotan.

The Beasts of the Cenozoic black Smilodon product packaging. The front of the box (top) and the back of the box providing some information on the Smilodon genus (bottom). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Beasts of the Cenozoic Black Smilodon

It was pointed out that this figure was in 1:12 scale, although a 1:18 scale figure is planned. William commented that the orange-coloured eyes compliment the head sculpts and the choice of colour around the snout was praised. Moreover, the ability to change the ears makes the Creative Beasts series one of the very special model collections. Other clever little touches highlighted by the reviewer included the ability to show claws drawn or retracted and the removable neck ruff.

William explained:

“This figure captures both scientific and fantasy aspects all in one. I hold of the highest esteem the accurate life restorations of the Machairodontinae by the maestro Mauricio Anton as his art has no equal.”

The Beasts of the Cenozoic black Smilodon figure shown in lateral view.

To view the range of Beasts of the Mesozoic/Beasts of the Cenozoic figures in stock: Beasts of the Mesozoic/Cenozoic Figures.

“Beyond the Black River”

William postulated that many collectors may have first encountered Smilodon within the pages of literature. For example, from Robert Erwin Howard’s Weird Tales story from 1935 “Beyond the Black River”.

The reviewer kindly provided a quotation:

“The creature that stood in the gate was like the embodiment of nightmare legend. Its colour was of a curious pale quality, which made it seem ghostly and unreal in the dim light. But there was nothing unreal about the low-hung savage head and the great curved fangs that glistened in the firelight. It was survival of an older, grimmer age, the ogre of many an ancient legend – a sabre-tooth tiger. No Hyborian hunter had looked upon one of those primordial brutes for centuries.”

In concluding his review William stated that the new Beasts of the Cenozoic black Smilodon model was an extremely accurate but equally beautiful Smilodon populator figure.

Furthermore, he summed up his latest acquisition with one word – “perfection.”

Our thanks to William for sending into Everything Dinosaur his Smilodon model review.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models and Toys.

Our thanks to model collector William who sent into Everything Dinosaur a review of a recent purchase.  William reviewed the Beasts of the Mesozoic Albertosaurus sarcophagus figure.  The reviewer briefly outlined some aspects of tyrannosaur evolution.  He explained that during the Campanian faunal stage of the Cretaceous the Albertosaurinae took a more fleet footed path of predation than the heavier, southern Tyrannosaurinae.  Albertosaurus is estimated to have weighed around three tonnes.  It measured approximately nine metres in length.

Beasts of the Mesozoic Albertosaurus model.

William commented that as with all the Beasts of the Mesozoic figures, the model has a high specification.  The stunning paint scheme for the model was inspired by the extant Australian Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii).

To view the range of Beasts of the Mesozoic figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Beasts of the Mesozoic Models.

The Beasts of the Mesozoic Albertosaurus sarcophagus

The length of the figure was confirmed to be twenty inches (over fifty centimetres long).  A collector’s card and the box art were created by renowned palaeoartist Raph Lomotan.

The artwork for the Beasts of the Mesozoic Albertosaurus sarcophagus figure.  Package art created by Raph Lomotan.

The reviewer opined:

“With a marvellous twenty-two points of articulation from snout to tail tip and extra legs and feet.  In addition, there is a detailed sculpted and painted base.”

William concluded his dinosaur model review by stating that Albertosaurus sarcophagus figures were truly rare.  Collectors have a once in a lifetime opportunity to add a 1:18 scale Albertosaurus model to their collection.

He added:

“It is the best version in 1:18 scale that you will ever see!”

David Silva the creator of the Beasts of the Mesozoic Albertosaurus model was praised.

The Beasts of the Mesozoic Albertosaurus articulated dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Thanks – Everything Dinosaur

William dedicated his final comments in this review to Everything Dinosaur.  He thanked the team and stated that dinosaur model collectors value the team’s efforts.  The company undertakes tireless efforts to source stock and to deliver it to the front door of customers.  Products have safety tests and certificates, and this helps give collectors confidence about new ranges and figures.

Discussing the company’s very competitive pricing he explained:

“A very good price range for children to the adult collector who either wants the latest Beasts of the Mesozoic Yutyrannus huali figure to the latest releases from PNSO.”

The reviewer continued and explained that purchasing from Everything Dinosaur was fast, safe and secure.  He liked receiving an email confirming the order and the paperwork supplied was clear and concise.  William added that his normal purchase time on the company’s website was about two to three minutes.

The new “limited-edition” section of the website was highlighted as being particularly helpful.

Visit the user friendly and award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Feedback from customers is extremely important.  We rely on Feefo reviews as well as our own website reviews for customer feedback.  This month (June 2024) we are thrilled to have received over sixty 5-star customer reviews which have been logged on the Feefo website.  We are delighted to share one such review on this blog post, from a customer in France. This review is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional service to customers all around the world.

Another five-star Feefo review received by Everything Dinosaur. One of our French customers gave Everything Dinosaur and PNSO models top marks. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Feefo Reviews from France

The 5-star review came from a customer who had purchased the PNSO Styracosaurus and Alamosaurus models.  The customer service of Everything Dinosaur was praised.

In the customer’s comments the reviewer highlighted our helpful communication and fantastic products:

“The service from Everything Dinosaur is absolutely perfect.  Great communication, great products at a great price and excellent delivery time, even to France.”

All we can say is – merci beaucoup!

To read more about feedback from European customers: Top Marks from a Customer in Germany.

Receiving Positive Feedback

Receiving positive feedback like this from an overseas customer is incredibly meaningful. We are honoured.  Feedback such as this demonstrates our commitment to excellence.  We pride ourselves on being a trusted supplier of dinosaur and prehistoric animal figures to customers worldwide. Feefo reviews mean a lot to us.

We are genuinely grateful to every single one of our valued customers for taking the time to leave feedback and to share their experience of purchasing.  Such feedback motivates us to continue raising the bar and finding new ways to exceed the expectations of our customers, no matter where in the world they may be.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.