Product Reviews

4 03, 2012

A Review of the Papo Running T. rex Model

By Mike|2023-03-09T06:14:49+00:00March 4th, 2012|Categories: Everything Dinosaur Products, Everything Dinosaur videos, Product Reviews|14 Comments

Papo Running Tyrannosaurus rex

Part of the 2012 product releases from Papo, the running T. rex model has certainly got collectors and dinosaur fans very excited. Papo, the French based figure and replica manufacturers are keen to increase the number of models in their “Les Dinosaures” range and we, at Everything Dinosaur are delighted to be able to provide a video review of their latest release.

Running T. rex Model

Here is the Everything Dinosaur video review of the recently introduced Papo running Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur model – part of the “Les Dinosaures” range of prehistoric animal figures and models.

Everything Dinosaur’s Review of the Papo Running T. rex Model

Everything Dinosaur reviews the Papo Running T. rex dinosaur model (new for 2012).

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view Papo dinosaur and prehistoric animal models including the new Papo releases: Papo Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

2 03, 2012

Review of the Papo Running T. rex

By Mike|2023-01-28T17:42:47+00:00March 2nd, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Product Reviews|1 Comment

New Papo T. rex Model Reviewed

Hot on the heels of other Papo replica releases in the company’s “Les Dinosaures” range comes the eagerly anticipated Papo running T. rex model. This is the fifth model T. rex that Papo, the figure manufacturer based in France have produced and in our opinion; the best. Like the standing T. rex models, this replica has an articulated lower jaw. This permits this dinosaur model to be posed either mouth open or closed. It is remarkable how many models are made showing the prehistoric creature with its mouth open. Theropod models such as Allosaurus, abelisaurids and of course the Tyrannosaurus are particularly susceptible to this trait. However, having studied carnivores in Africa such as lions and cheetahs, readers can be assured that these animals when running hardly ever run with their mouths agape. Still the head of the running T. rex model is well made and, like the rest of the model; very well painted. The head does superficially resemble the skulls of previous Papo replicas of Tyrannosaurus rex but the dentition (teeth) is very different. The teeth in the new model are much more irregular than in earlier sculpts. Some individual teeth, particularly those posed along the premaxilla are very large – giving this T. rex replica a considerable over-bite.

A Close Up View of the New Papo Running T. rex

Inspired by “Sue”.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Papo Running T. rex Model

The model measures approximately 33 cm long, this gives a representative scale of around 1:42 scale, although the company designers would propose a scale of more like 1:40. The model stands 13 cm high at the head and the forelimbs bow out slightly in what we term a “pinching posture”, reflecting current thinking about the width of the furcula (wishbone) and its placement in alignment with the shoulder girdle.

The running gait is obtained by providing this replica with robust legs, the toes of which are splayed out – a natural running pose if this animal was charging across soft ground perhaps, but more we think to do with helping to spread this model’s weight and permit it to stand upright. The thick tail helps to counterbalance the animal but the real secret behind this stance can be found when the undersides of the feet are carefully examined. The pads of the feet and the toe joints have been thickened and flattened out by the model makers. This lets more of the foot underside remain in contact with the ground, thus aiding the replicas stability.

Inspiring Images

One of the inspiring images behind this representation of T. rex is the huge, mounted skeleton of the robust Tyrannosaurus rex, known as “Sue” to be seen in the Chicago Field Museum (Chicago, USA). This forty-two foot long skeleton is mounted as if this fierce predator is running – the new T. rex from Papo reflects this stance too.

Well-painted, well-crafted another asset to the Papo figure and model range and we are sure this is going to be a favourite amongst dinosaur fans and model collectors for many years to come.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s range of Papo models and dinosaur figures: Papo Prehistoric Animal Models (Les Dinosaures).

20 02, 2012

Papo Woolly Mammoth Models Reviewed

By Mike|2023-01-28T16:36:22+00:00February 20th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases, Product Reviews|0 Comments

A Papo Woolly Mammoth Family

Papo, the French based model and figure manufacturer have introduced into their “Les Dinosaures” range two, new baby Woolly Mammoth models. These two new additions accompany the adult Woolly Mammoth figure which was introduced by the company some years ago, so collectors have the chance to build up their own Ice Age family of Woolly Mammoths.

Woolly Mammoth Models

Scientists are fairly certain that just like extant species of elephant today, Woolly Mammoths travelled in extended family groups. Whether or not this group or herd of shaggy coated elephants was controlled by a dominant matriarch (female elephant), remains uncertain. As elephants today form social groups based on this structure, it may be assumed that their close relatives, the extinct Mammoths adopted similar behaviour.

The two babies represent young Mammoths of different ages. The first model to be reviewed is the smallest, perhaps representing an animal just a few weeks old. This model stands six centimetres high and measures approximately seven and a half centimetres in length. It has the fine detail that one would expect of a Papo produced replica. The hairy, brown, shaggy coat is well defined and the prominent lump on the back of the animal between the shoulders can be clearly made out. Recent discoveries of very young Mammoths found in the frozen wastes of Siberia, such as “Lyuba”, the name given to the carcase of a month old baby Mammoth found almost perfectly preserved, have given scientists a tremendous insight into how Mammoth calves looked. The designers and model makers at Papo have used this new information to help guide them when creating their own baby Mammoth replica.

Baby Mammoths

This small Mammoth model can be posed next to the adult Mammoth replica made by this company to give the impression that the youngster is trying to suckle.

The second new Mammoth model, represents an older animal, perhaps a yearling, or as colleagues at Everything Dinosaur have suggested, an animal around two years of age. This replica is much larger than the baby, measuring a total length of twelve centimetres and standing eight centimetres tall. It is still towered over by the adult Mammoth model in this range, this measures a whopping twenty-two centimetres in length, suggesting this set of replicas is in approximately 1:20 scale.

The New Papo Woolly Mammoth Replicas

An Ice Age family – baby Woolly Mammoths.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The juvenile is presented in a walking pose, with its trunk held up so that the two small tusks (one on each side of the upper jaw) can be seen. Once again the painting is excellent and the detail on the coat exquisite.

To view Everything Dinosaur’s Papo replicas: Papo Prehistoric Animal Models and Replicas.

These prehistoric animal models are ideal for robust, creative play and it is always a pleasure to see new Ice Age models introduced, especially at a time when many manufacturers are reducing their ranges.

The three Woolly Mammoth models work well together as a family group, they are going to be popular with schools who would use such replicas in teaching topics such as discussing extinction events, as well as with professional model collectors.

Recommended.

17 02, 2012

Review of the Papo Tylosaurus Replica

By Mike|2023-03-09T07:50:29+00:00February 17th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Press Releases, Product Reviews|2 Comments

“Protuberance Lizard” a new Addition to the Papo Model Range

A replica of the fearsome marine reptile Tylosaurus has been added to the Papo “Les Dinosaures” model range. The umbrella branding – “Les Dinosaures” is proving to be more and more inappropriate for this French manufacturer’s range of prehistoric animal models.

A significant proportion of the models this company now produces are not actually dinosaurs at all. The new Tylosaurus model is an example of this. Tylosaurus was not a dinosaur, in fact although a reptile it and its kind (the mosasaurs) were more closely related to lizards and snakes than they were to the Dinosauria.

Papo Tylosaurus Model

Tylosaurus was formally adopted as the scientific name for a group of large, apex predators of the Late Cretaceous in 1872. Since this is the 140th anniversary of the naming of Tylosaurus, it is pleasing to see Papo introduce a model to commemorate this event. The mosasaurs were a very successful group of marine reptiles. Mosasaur fossils have been found all over the world – in the Americas, Africa, New Zealand, Antarctica and in Europe.

A number of different species of Tylosaurus are now recognised by scientists, Tylosaurus proriger (upon which the Papo model is based), was one of the largest and it hunted in a large inland sea that split North America in two. This seaway is known as the Western Interior Sea.

The Tylosaurus Model (Papo Tylosaurus)

Fearsome predator of the Western Interior Seaway.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

View Papo Prehistoric Animal Models: Papo “Les Dinosaures” Prehistoric Animal Models.

Tylosaurus Model Measurements

The model itself, measures a little over 24 cm in length, with the skull measuring an impressive 4.5 cm. The largest species of Tylosaurus were up to fourteen metres long, this makes this replica approximately 1:60 scale. Tylosaurus is depicted with its jaws open wide showing an array of sharp, pointed teeth. The tail has a flattened appearance and sports a long, thin frill that runs almost the length of the tail. Scientists believe that Tylosaurus used its powerful, muscular tail to propel itself through the water, using only its four flippers to steer and to change direction.

The Papo model is painted a brown/bronze colour and the texture of the model is quite rough. The scales are clearly marked and the replica, as a result has an almost crocodilian appearance. This contrasts with other mosasaur models from manufacturers which depict these marine lizards as streamlined creatures with smooth-scaled bodies. The available fossil material ascribed to Tylosaurus does not provide palaeontologists with a clear indication of the skin texture of these fearsome reptiles.

It is a robust replica, well suited to creative, imaginative play and as a result, Tylosaurus will probably be equally popular with children as well as professional prehistoric animal model collectors. It is likely that this model will prove to be an asset to the Papo dinosaurs model series, even though it is a marine reptile.

6 02, 2012

New Papo Re-painted T. rex and Juvenile Tyrannosaur

By Mike|2023-03-09T07:54:10+00:00February 6th, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Product Reviews|5 Comments

Introducing a Tyrannosaur Family Photograph

Amid speculation from palaeontologists as to whether members of the Tyrannosauroidea lived in family groups and perhaps hunted in packs, Papo, the figure and replica manufacturer from France, have introduced two models of juvenile tyrannosaurs to accompany the adults in the company’s “Les Dinosaures” model range. There are going to be two Papo baby dinosaur models.

Papo Baby Dinosaur Models

There are actually two baby T. rex models being released by Papo this year (expected with Everything Dinosaur in May). One of these is painted green, we think as a companion piece to the new running T. rex sculpt. The second, a dusky, brown coloured replica which works well with the new re-painted version of the original (dark green) T. rex replica. The two brown tyrannosaurs can be seen in the picture below – a sort of T. rex family “snapshot”. They are to be added to the Papo dinosaurs model range.

A Tyrannosaur Family Photograph

A tyrannosaur family?

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

In our picture, the juvenile is looking up to the adult tyrannosaur, the detail on the models can be made out and these 2012 additions, keep up the excellent quality that can be found in the rest of the Papo model range. The two baby rexes are the same model (both have articulated jaws, just like the adult replicas), but they have been painted in different colours. Great to see another Papo T. rex figure.

To view the range of Papo “Les Dinosaures” prehistoric animal models available from Everything Dinosaur: Papo Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

The juvenile rexes, each measure approximately 11 centimetres in length and stand 9 centimetres tall.

30 01, 2012

New Super Soft Dinosaurs from Everything Dinosaur

By Mike|2023-01-26T21:57:45+00:00January 30th, 2012|Categories: Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Press Releases, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Soft and Cuddly Dinosaurs Stomp onto our Shelves

Today, team members at Everything Dinosaur said hello to their new range of dinosaur soft toys, a set of three plush, prehistoric animals – Diplodocus, Triceratops and a funky Tyrannosaurus rex. Made from super soft (but very practical materials – sponge washable), these new additions to the already extensive dinosaur soft toy range marketed by Everything Dinosaur certainly add a splash of colour to our warehouse shelves.

Bright and Colourful Dinosaur Soft Toys

Super-soft, prehistoric plush!

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Soft Toys

Available in three sizes, babies at around 22 cm in length, to big sisters and big brothers up to 29 cm long and the Mums and Dads over 40 cm in length, this new range gives young dinosaur fans the chance to create their very own dinosaur families.

To view dinosaur soft toys: Everything Dinosaur Soft Toys.

The design team wanted to develop dinosaurs that were very soft to the touch but were also very striking and colourful. With a pink Triceratops, a deep blue Diplodocus and a fearsome black T. rex they certainly have achieved their brief. Since scientists remain uncertain as to the colour of most dinosaur genera, we at Everything Dinosaur cannot prove the design team wrong. After all, colour vision was important to the Dinosauria, and why not a blue Diplodocus or indeed a bright pink Triceratops in our soft toy dinosaurs range.

3 01, 2012

A Sensational Dinosaur Picture Viewer

By Mike|2024-04-22T14:00:39+01:00January 3rd, 2012|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Press Releases, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Dinosaur Picture Viewer

A handy little dinosaur picture viewer has just been added to the Everything Dinosaur product range, sales of which help support the Natural History Museum in London. Simply insert one of the three, robust discs that comes with the viewer, hold it up to the light and look through the special lens and you will be treated to images of dinosaurs and important dinosaur fossils, with all the images having come from the Museum’s collection.

Dinosaur Picture Viewer

The Dinosaur Picture Viewer

Bring your favourite dinosaurs into focus.

The beautiful and full colour images depict a number of very popular dinosaurs including Triceratops, Giganotosaurus, Stegosaurus, Psittacosaurus and of course T. rex. The viewer also enables young dinosaur fans to view actual dinosaur fossils including a close up of the head of “Dippy” the Diplodocus – D. carnegii, the huge long-necked dinosaur that stands in the entrance hall to the museum. As the Diplodocus head is several metres in the air, it is not possible to view this museum exhibit very closely, however, thanks to this little gadget, this is no longer a problem.

One of the Fearsome Giganotosaurus Illustrations from the Viewer

Biggest land carnivore known to science?

The picture above shows one of the detailed images, this dinosaur picture viewer is bound to get young dinosaur fans roaring with excitement.

To see more details of the product range available at Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.

Complete with a handy lanyard so that young dinosaur fans can wear their picture viewer and as it has the logo of the Natural History Museum on the front they will feel just like a real palaeontologist. It is a wonderful addition to Everything Dinosaur’s range of dinosaur party items.

Sales of this product support the Natural History Museum.

26 12, 2011

A Review of the Deinosuchus Crocodile Model

By Mike|2023-03-08T14:03:53+00:00December 26th, 2011|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur videos, Product Reviews|1 Comment

Deinosuchus (Carnegie Collectibles – Safari Ltd) by Everything Dinosaur

After team members at Everything Dinosaur produced a short video review of the Kaprosuchus prehistoric crocodile model, we were asked to create a video of the Deinosuchus replica. Both these models are made by Safari Ltd, one is a terrestrial crocodile whereas, the other, Deinosuchus, was adapted to a life in water.

For models and replicas in the Safari Ltd model range available to purchase from Everything Dinosaur: Prehistoric Animal Figures and Models (Safari Ltd).

Deinosuchus Replica

Deinosuchus was a water-borne ambush predator, a formidable creature that lived in the Late Cretaceous of the southern United States. This is an excellent replica, the Carnegie Collectibles Deinosuchus crocodile model.

Everything Dinosaur’s Video Review of the Deinosuchus Model

A review of the Carnegie Collectibles Deinosuchus model by Everything Dinosaur.

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

In this short (five minutes) review we discuss the Deinosuchus model, comment on the fossil material associated with this prehistoric crocodile and provide a little more information as to how Deinosuchus may have lived and hunted. We enjoyed making this video using the Carnegie Deinosuchus.

Visit Everything Dinosaur on YouTube (we recommend you subscribe): Everything Dinosaur on YouTube.

24 12, 2011

Schleich Quetzalcoatlus going to cause a Flap

By Mike|2023-01-25T10:22:04+00:00December 24th, 2011|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Bizarre Wings on the New Schleich Quetzalcoatlus

Team members at Everything Dinosaur have been taking a look at the new models that are due to be released by the German based model and figure manufacturer, Schleich next year. There had been a lot of rumours circulating regarding the changes being made by this company and a number of prehistoric animal models have been retired. Sadly, the last of the prehistoric mammals, the two Woolly Mammoth models and the Smilodon are no more. The “Saurus” range and the not to scale dinosaurs have been reduced, but there are a number of colour variants and new models being introduced.

Schleich Quetzalcoatlus

Perhaps, the most controversial of all the new introductions is the replica of the azhdarchid pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus. This is a new sculpt (model reference Schleich 14518) but it is not the model itself that will drive debate, it is the choice of wing pattern that the artists at Schleich have decided to add to the back of this flying reptile’s wings. It certainly makes for an interesting Quetzalcoatlus flying reptile model from Schleich.

The New Quetzalcoatlus Flying Reptile Model from Schleich

Wings of a butterfly?

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

In what we think is a first for a mainstream prehistoric animal manufacturer, the designers at Schleich have given the wings of the new Quetzalcoatlus model, a patterned effect. In fact the wings look very similar to the patterns seen on butterflies. The wings of pterosaurs consisted of a membrane of skin. No preserved traces of a membrane have been found associated with azhdarchid pterosaurs, so the exact colouration, if any, cannot be determined, but most flying reptile models are shown with rather plain wings – certainly when compared to this new model.

The “Saurus” Quetzalcoatlus Replica

A more conventional pterosaur model.

Picture credit: Schleich

The “Saurus” Quetzalcoatlus will still be available in 2012, it reflects more of the conventional view of pterosaurs. Covering the wings of butterflies, they have four wings, technically the same number as pterosaurs as there is a smaller membrane – the fore-wing at the front of the arm on pterosaurs, are thousands of scales made of chitin. The wings of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) can be patterned and very colourful, the new pterosaur model’s wings remind us of the pattern seen in the wings of many butterflies and moths. Such patterning on a model is highly unusual, and we at Everything Dinosaur, doubt whether pterosaur wings were coloured in this way. The wings can’t be used for visual display as only the back surface of the wing is patterned.

This is certainly striking, but we are not sure about these markings. Schleich also make a number of fairy and fantasy figures, perhaps the artists responsible for the new pterosaur wings have been influenced by the designers of these other models. We wait to see what other specialists make of this move by Schleich.

To view the Schleich model series: Schleich Models and Prehistoric Animal Replicas.

23 12, 2011

New Herbivorous Dinosaur Models from Schleich (May 2012)

By Mike|2023-03-08T14:02:53+00:00December 23rd, 2011|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Product Reviews|2 Comments

Herbivorous Dinosaurs get New Paint Jobs from Schleich

Schleich of Germany have been revising a number of their model ranges with the introduction of a new artistic team. Perhaps one of the most revised ranges has been their “Saurus” range of scale prehistoric animal models. We covered the changes to the theropods (meat-eaters mostly), in an earlier post today. Now we focus on the new colour variants of herbivorous dinosaurs, and the new Schleich dinosaur models for 2012.

Schleich Dinosaur Models

The large dinosaur model range made by Schleich, part of their “World of History” category will contain an number of plant-eating dinosaurs. We have already featured their largest models the sauropods, now we focus on the Stegosaurus, Saichania, Triceratops and the Parasaurolophus models that have replaced the previous “Saurus” replicas.

Stegosaurus from Schleich

“Roof Lizard” gets a new roof.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The red dermal plates of the previous “Saurus” Stegosaurus have gone, a more muted replica as shown above is the replacement. You could say that “Roofed Lizard” has been given a new roof.

Triceratops Model – Note the Indications of Fenestrae

Triceratops or perhaps Torosaurus?

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

We like the tilted head position and if you look carefully you can see the impression of paired fenestrae in the neck frill (formation of holes in the neck frill just covered by skin). Could this model have been designed with a thought about the Bakker et al hypothesis that as these ceratopsians aged so their skull frills become larger and developed fenestrae. Could Triceratops and Torosaurus be one and the same?

To read an article about this theory: The Extinction of Torosaurus – Second Time Around.

Replacing the “Saurus” scale model Saichania with a new paint job. This model shows the defensive armour more clearly with the armour projections being picked out in an ivory colour.

Schleich Saichania Model

Saichania means “beautiful”.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

This model will be available in May 2012, the name Saichania means “beautiful” staff at Everything Dinosaur are looking forward to seeing whether this dinosaur lives up to its name. Interesting to note that the small Saichania model has been retired from the not-to-scale Schleich model range that we refer to the “DI” range.

Last but not least is the interesting Parasaurolophus hadrosaur model, nicknamed “banana feet” by Everything Dinosaur team members due to the choice of colour for the front limbs. P. walkeri is one of our favourite duck-billed dinosaurs.

Parasaurolophus from Schleich (May 2012)

It’s “banana feet”!

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Schleich

Dinosaur Models and Figures

This is certainly an eclectic group of dinosaur models. All the most popular dinosaurs seem to have been incorporated into the re-launch, and we at Everything Dinosaur look forward to taking a closer look at the models.

To view the range of Schleich herbivorous dinosaurs available from Everything Dinosaur: Schleich Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals.