A Review of the CollectA Scale Model of T. rex (1:40 Scale)

No dinosaur fan’s model collection is complete without at least one Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur model and there are so many to choose from these days.  No self-respecting figure and replica manufacturer can introduce a range of prehistoric animal models without including this most iconic of all the Dinosauria, indeed a number of mainstream model makers have a number of tyrannosaur variants on offer in their product ranges.

Tyrannosaurus rex Dinosaur Model

One interesting example of a Tyrannosaurus rex model is the 1:40 scale model of the “Tyrant Lizard King” made by CollectA.  Firstly, there is the pose.  This T. rex is posed with its head bowed and with its mouth open showing an array of different sized teeth in the jaws.  Most models of this theropod dinosaur portray this animal walking with its head held high, sometimes with the tail dragging on the ground in a bid to balance the model.  The CollectA model attempts to demonstrate behaviour, in our view aggressive behaviour, not necessarily towards another tyrannosaur, where studies of extant animals such as bears and lions suggest that protagonists would try to make themselves as big as possible to deter a rival.  The lowering of the head and the gaping mouth would be at or around the eye-level of a ceratopsian, (horned dinosaur).

The pose of the tyrannosaur model by CollectA may reflect the sort of behaviour adopted by a Tyrannosaurus rex as it attempted to intimidate potential prey.  Of course, this is just speculation, but it demonstrates that considerable thought and care has gone into this particular replica.

The CollectA 1:40 Scale Model T. rex

Interesting pose of this tyrannosaur dinosaur model.

The Size of the Dinosaur Model

The second impressive element is the size of the model.  It measures nearly thirty centimetres in length, making this figure a relatively large dinosaur model, but one that can still be held comfortably by the hands of a small child.  Each of the CollectA scale models is supplied with a little plastic figure, a model of a palaeontologist.  This figure of a man, complete with pickaxe and binoculars, is known as “Sir Arthur Gauge”.  The addition of the human figure allows the size of Tyrannosaurus rex to be appreciated, it provides a scale for the model.

Say Hello to “Sir Arthur”

A clever way to provide a scale for dinosaur models.

Another plus, is that the model is extremely well painted.  The texture of the dinosaur’s skin is carefully picked out using various greens, mustard yellows and browns.  Even the pupils of the eyes can be made out and the teeth have been painted individually.

To view the range of CollectA scale prehistoric animal models available: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Dinosaur Models.

This is an excellent Tyrannosaurus rex model, a replica that demonstrates the care and attention of the design team at CollectA and it makes a fine addition to any dinosaur model fan’s prehistoric animal collection.

A Review of the CollectA Therizinosaurus

Introduced in early 2012, CollectA added a not to scale model of the bizarre theropod dinosaur known as Therizinosaurus to their prehistoric animal model range.  Regarded by palaeontologists as one of the more unusual groups of dinosaurs, the therizinosaurs have only really become established as a clade over the last thirty years or so, after the discovery of a number therizinosaur fossils in Asia and North America.

This exclusively Cretaceous clade, is still under going revision, the CollectA model of Therizinosaurus, the largest of this type of dinosaur discovered to date, may represent an entirely different family from the rest of the therizinosaurids.

CollectA Therizinosaurus Dinosaur Model

The CollectA model represents Therizinosaurus (T. cheloniformis), by far the biggest of these “Scythe” lizards known to science.  The first fossils ascribed to this genus were found in 1948, the Soviet team given the responsibility of piecing together this prehistoric animal from a few flattened ribs, elements from the arms and those enormous claws were unsure of what sort of reptile this was.  At first the ribs were thought to belong to a huge, extinct turtle.  This misleading idea is reflected in the species name that was erected (from Chelonia the Order of reptiles to which tortoises, terrapins and turtles belong).

The CollectA Therizinosaurus Dinosaur Model

An excellent model of a “Scythe” lizard.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

T. cheloniformis

Although T. cheloniformis is still very poorly known due to the lack of fossils found, it has been reconstructed based on the remains of similar and better known therizinosaur-like dinosaurs such as Beipiaosaurus from the Early Cretaceous of China.  Most therizinosaurs are depicted as being covered in downy feathers, as there is evidence to suggest that these dinosaurs sported coats of simple proto-feathers, although no feather fossils have been found in association with T. cheloniformis material.

The CollectA model is supplied with a clear plastic base and supporting strap which enables the model to stand upright, although most replicas we have handled can stand unsupported.  The dumpy, squat body is well depicted and the neck is raised as if this animal is alarmed at some disturbance.  The three fingered hands with their huge claws (the largest of which would have been over a metre in length), are placed down by the animal’s side and the tail is held off the ground.

The replica shows the texture of feathers on its body and tail, the rear portion of the head has a crest of blue/green feathers with a similar crest on the back between the impressive shoulder blades.  The forearms have tufts of feathers on them, perhaps helping this large dinosaur to display.  The colouration is interesting, with a battleship grey underneath giving way to a mottled sandy brown with flashes of subtle shading, as if to indicate this dinosaur was covered in a long, shaggy feathery coat.

A Close up of the Impressively Painted Head and Neck of the CollectA Therizinosaurus

A very well painted replica of the dinosaur Therizinosaurus.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

It is pleasing to note that the four-toed hind feet have been accurately depicted with this particular therizinosaur model.    All in all, a very well made and thoughtfully designed replica of a very unusual example of the Dinosauria.

To view the CollectA range of dinosaur models, including Therizinosaurus available from Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Age of Dinosaur Models.

Customer Comments about this Therizinosaurus Model

“Everything is perfect in this model, from the head (at the same time bird-like and reptile-like) to the proto-feathers (mix of colours).”

“At long last, a good quality sculpt. of this very strange beast.”

Colourful CollectA Tsintaosaurus – The Dinosaur that Looks like a Unicorn

Introduced into the CollectA Prehistoric Life series of prehistoric animal models in 2010 the CollectA Tsintaosaurus dinosaur model represents one of the most bizarre looking of all the known duck-billed dinosaurs.  Although the model is not to scale, it measures seventeen centimetres in length and the bright orange coloured bony crest that this dinosaur model sports, certainly makes it one of the most eye-catching replicas on any model display.

CollectA Tsintaosaurus Dinosaur Model

The Colourful CollectA Tsintaosaurus Dinosaur Model

Colourful, crested dinosaur model – Tsintaosaurus.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Lambeosaurine Hadrosaurid

Tsintaosaurus is a member of the lambeosaurine hadrosaurids, a group of bird-hipped dinosaurs that have a variety of crests.  The majority of the crests of these dinosaurs are hollow, but the crest of Tsintaosaurus is very different in structure and shape when compared to the crests of other lambeosaurines.   This herbivorous dinosaur had a long, bony strut projecting from the top of the skull.   This structure has often been referred to as a “unicorn” horn.  This strut seems to have been made up of solid bone and when first studied; this protrusion was thought to be part of a deformed skull bone that had been pushed upwards and away from the rest of the skull bones during the fossilisation process.  However, in 1993, the eminent French palaeontologist Eric Buffetaut made a detailed examination of a second Tsintaosaurus skull specimen and he declared that this dinosaur did indeed possess a horn that projected upwards from the skull from just in front of the animal’s eye sockets.  The crest does seem to be slightly curved, as if the dinosaur is carrying a large capital “C” around on its head, but scientists remain uncertain as to whether the horn curved forwards or was curved backwards over the back of the skull.

The purpose for this horn, which may have exceeded fifty centimetres in length, is unknown.  It could not have been used as a resonating chamber to help amplify the dinosaur’s calls as the structure appears to be solid.  The crest could have been a display structure and played a role in visual communication between tsintaosaurs.    This probably explains why the designers at CollectA have given the crest on their model such a bright orange colour.  The crest clearly stands out and contrasts well with the muted green and mustard yellow markings on the rest of the replica.

From the few skull specimens and other bones found, scientists have been able to deduce that Tsintaosaurus had a broad muzzle.  This plant-eater was probably an unfussy browser feeding on a mixture of plants including angiosperms (flowering plants), as well as conifer needles, leaves, horsetails and ferns.  The CollectA model has been carefully moulded to give the impression of this dinosaur having a broad mouth.

A Close-up of the Crest and the Broad Mouth of Tsintaosaurus

A broad muzzle and bizarre crest.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Fossils

Fossils of this dinosaur have been found in Eastern China (Wangshi Formation).  Tsintaosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous and mature adults may have been more than ten metres in length.  Recent studies of other duck-billed dinosaurs have indicated that these ornithischians may have had deep, powerful tails.  The CollectA replica depicts this deep tail very well, giving the impression of a strong and powerful animal.  The model is well painted and shows lots of fine detail such as the individual toe claws and the relatively small eyes.

It is quite unusual to see a model of such a bizarre duck-billed dinosaur being added to a manufacturer’s model range.  Most firms produce replicas of better known duck-billed dinosaurs, animals such as Corythosaurus and Parasaurolophus for example and CollectA deserves praise for bringing out a Tsintaosaurus.  This model would be a colourful addition to any dinosaur fan’s collection.  Recommended.

To view the CollectA range of prehistoric animal models: CollectA Dinosaur Models.

Everything Dinosaur’s Review of the New Papo Brachiosaurus

The Papo Brachiosaurus is the last of the 2012 Papo dinosaur models to be released, it is also the largest model within the company’s prehistoric animal model range and indeed one of the largest replicas made to date by this French manufacturer.  This model of the Late Jurassic browser, measures forty centimetres in length and the head stands over thirty centimetres high.  The Brachiosaurus was due to be launched earlier in the year but it has been worth waiting for as this is another remarkable sculpt with this dinosaur being depicted as a heavy-set robust animal very reminiscent to the brachiosaurs depicted in the Jurassic Park movie franchise.

Papo Brachiosaurus Dinosaur Model

There has been a tremendous amount of scientific research carried out on brachiosaur fossil material over the last few years, indeed there is as strong argument to split the African and American Brachiosauridae fossils into separate genera. Recent studies have suggested that these dinosaurs were actually much lighter than previously thought, but Papo have opted to give their replica a very thick neck and a large body supported by very strong pillar-like back legs.  This reflects a more traditional view of the Brachiosauridae, the model gives the impression of a very powerful animal, one of the largest land-living animals known to science.

The Papo Brachiosaurus Dinosaur Model

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the Papo range of prehistoric animal models and figures including dinosaurs: Papo Dinosaur Figures.

When attempting to calculate a scale for this new model it is worth noting that species such as B. altithorax are estimated to be up to 22-25 metres in length.  Based on this data, this would give the new Papo model an approximate scale of 1:55, for example, one centimetre on the model equals 55 centimetres on the actual dinosaur.

Interestingly this Brachiosaurus is depicted with its mouth open.  Most other models of sauropods currently available are shown with the mouth closed.  The individual peg-like teeth can be made out and the nostrils are located at the top of the head which reflects current thinking regarding the placement of the nostrils on these large herbivores.

The colouration consists of mostly dark green with a lighter tan coloured underside, once again a more traditional interpretation of this dinosaur’s colouring.  The skin texture has been carefully crafted and shows a lot of detail.  We are sure Elmer G. Riggs who discovered the first brachiosaur fossils in the western United States would be suitably impressed by this interpretation of Brachiosaurus.

The Papo Brachiosaurus is ideal for robust, creative play and will no doubt also prove to be very popular with dinosaur model collectors.