The best figure of every species, according to Halichoeres

[BlueKrono]

Is that the only Pterodaustro figure out there? It's such a cool species I'd be surprised. And in your opinion, is the WWD Ornitho the best? Would you replace this one if you had it?

[Halichoeres]

Is that the only Pterodaustro figure out there? It's such a cool species I'd be surprised. And in your opinion, is the WWD Ornitho the best? Would you replace this one if you had it?

I think the only other Pterodaustro (apart from Shapeways) is the one from Xidi/Lontic/Happy Kin:

I prefer the Cog, but yeah, it's surprising there aren't more versions. In general I think there are only three or four pterosaurs that are made often and reasonably well. I've found it difficult to decide on my favorite Dimorphodon and Pteranodon figures, but for the vast majority of taxa you can either not find one at all, or there's only one or a few, often very ugly, figures.

As for Ornithocheirus, yeah, I think the WWD is better, although, like the TS Toys version, it might be better called Tropeognathus, since the narration makes it clear that that's what it's modeled on. I would still replace the CollectA with it if I were lucky enough to find it. I think it's much likelier that someone else will make a nice one before I ever find one (Safari?). On a related note, it's really kind of a bummer that CollectA burned through most of the good English taxa so early, since they turned out badly and they haven't shown much willingness to make new versions. I think they could make a nice Ornithocheirus now, but I doubt they will. Maybe they'll make a good Coloborhynchus, to which many of the specimens formerly assigned to Ornithocheirus have been moved.

Today, Lower Cretaceous cerapods:


Mattel Archaeoceratops (Go Diego Go!)
Scale: 1:8
Released: 2008


CollectA Koreaceratops
Scale: 1:40
Released: 2012


Kaiyodo Psittacosaurus (Dino Expo 2004)
Scale: 1:20
Sculptor: Seiji Yamamoto


Safari Psittacosaurus
Scale: 1:14
Sculptor: Doug Watson
Released: 2017


Yowie Fulgurotherium (Lost Kingdoms A)
Scale: 1:15
Released: 2000


Toyway Leaellynasaura (Walking with Dinosaurs)
Scale: 1:10
Released: 1998


Geoworld Hypsilophodon
Scale: 1:8
Released: 2012


CollectA Hypsilophodon
Scale: 1:30
Released: 2012


Yowie Atlascopcosaurus (Lost Kingdoms B)
Scale: 1:35
Released: 2001


CollectA Tenontosaurus
Scale: 1:45
Released: 2009


Favorite Fukuisaurus (Fukui Museum)
Scale: 1:20
Sculptor: Kazunari Araki
Released: 2015


CollectA Muttaburrasaurus
Scale: 1:50
Released: 2009


Battat Ouranosaurus (Boston Museum of Science)
Scale: 1:40
Sculptor: Greg Wenzel
Released: 1994


Bullyland Iguanodon
Scale: 1:35
Released: 2010
NB: I think the Safari one is better, but it's so tiny

[Halichoeres]

Lower Cretaceous thyreophorans:


CollectA Wuerhosaurus
Scale: 1:40
Released: 2009


Starlux Acanthopholis
Scale: 1:35
Sculptor: Maurice Massat
Released: 1978


Safari Sauropelta
Scale: 1:25
Sculptor: Doug Watson
Released: 2015


Kaiyodo Sauropelta (Dinotales 3)
Scale: 1:50
Sculptor: Ataru Sugaya
Released: 2001


Sega Pawpawsaurus (Dinosaur King)
Scale: 1:20


Papo Polacanthus
Scale: 1:25
Sculptor: Seo Jung-Woon
Released: 2017


CollectA Gastonia
Scale: 1:35
Released: 2014


Protocasts Hylaeosaurus
Scale: 1:40
Sculptor: Clayton Hildebrand
Released: 2015


CollectA Hylaeosaurus
Scale: 1:20
Released: 2009


CollectA Minmi
Scale: 1:13
Released: 2010


Yowie Minmi (Lost Kingdoms B)
Scale: 1:25
Released: 2001

[BlueKrono]

Lotta doubles here. Surprised to see the Kaiyodo Sauropelta - I didn't think you went for the little guys so much. What's up with the Yowie Minmi when there's the CollectA? And those Hylaeosauruses are pretty different. Is that because of fragmentary remains? It seems consensuses (consensi?) are hard to reach when it comes to ankylosaur appearances.

[Halichoeres]

Yup, I often have doubles if they're in two different scales. The Kaiyodo Sauropelta is right at the edge; 1:50 is usually my cutoff for miniatures, unless they're fish. As for Minmi, the CollectA one is pretty bad, even though superficially it's more realistic. Plus, different scales. As for the Hylaeosaurus, I think the Protocasts version is pretty clearly better, but as you suspect the head is not well known (only the occiput is present in the holotype). The Protocasts head is more plausible; I think the CollectA looks a lot like a cow. Still, it's the best toy version, which isn't really saying much, because I'm pretty sure it's the only one.

Lower Cretaceous maniraptorans, with one new addition (and plenty of doubles):


Yowie Nanantius (Lost Kingdoms A)
Scale: 1:4
Released: 2000


PNSO Confuciusornis
Scale: 1:6
Sculptor: Zhao Chuang
Released: 2016


Mattel Sinornithoides (Go Diego Go!)
Scale: 1:4-1:5
Released: 2008


Safari Microraptor
Scale: 1:5
Released: 2017


Colorata Microraptor (Feathered Dinosaurs box)
Scale: 1:13
Released: 2016


Safari Sinornithosaurus (Feathered Dinos Toob)
Scale: 1:10
Sculptor: Doug Watson
Released: 2009


Rebor Deinonychus
Scale: 1:25
Released: 2017


Favorite Deinonychus (Metal Models), the one new figure in this batch. Not a lot of 1:40-ish Deinonychus figures out there. The Kaiyodo is a little too big, and the Carnegie is way too naked.
Scale: 1:45
Sculptor: Kazunari Araki
Released: 2008


CollectA Utahraptor
Scale: 1:45
Released: 2011


Safari Caudipteryx (Carnegie Collection)
Scale: 1:5
Sculptor: Forest Rogers
Released: 2006


Safari Caudipteryx (Feathered Dinos Toob)
Scale: 1:13
Sculptor: Doug Watson
Released: 2009


Hayakawa Alxasaurus
Scale: 1:45
Released: 2011?


Safari Beipiaosaurus (Feathered Dinos Toob)
Scale: 1:25
Sculptor: Doug Watson
Released: 2009


Safari Beipiaosaurus (Carnegie Collection)
Scale: 1:10
Sculptor: Forest Rogers
Released: 2006


Geoworld Falcarius
Scale: 1:20
Released: 2012

[Patrx]

Lovely maniraptorans! By the by, where are you finding the names of the sculptors for Kaiyodo? I'd be glad to know who to credit; the work is almost invariably really great.

[Halichoeres]

Lovely maniraptorans! By the by, where are you finding the names of the sculptors for Kaiyodo? I'd be glad to know who to credit; the work is almost invariably really great.

Thanks! The Favorite Deinonychus was actually my 500th figure, a milestone that I never dreamed I'd reach when I started buying toy dinosaurs.

Most of the Kaiyodo figures have their sculptors named in DeMarco's Dinosauriana (except the Collect Club ones, unfortunately). If you pm me your email address, I can send you the relevant pdfs. I'd also love to know the sculptors of all my toys, but sadly so many are anonymous.

[Patrx]

Thanks! The Favorite Deinonychus was actually my 500th figure, a milestone that I never dreamed I'd reach when I started buying toy dinosaurs.
Most of the Kaiyodo figures have their sculptors named in DeMarco's Dinosauriana (except the Collect Club ones, unfortunately). If you pm me your email address, I can send you the relevant pdfs. I'd also love to know the sculptors of all my toys, but sadly so many are anonymous.

Wow! You know, I've never counted my dinosaurs; but they certainly do seem to add up faster than one might think. I'll send a PM, that Dinosauraina sounds really useful

[Halichoeres]

Thanks! The Favorite Deinonychus was actually my 500th figure, a milestone that I never dreamed I'd reach when I started buying toy dinosaurs.
Most of the Kaiyodo figures have their sculptors named in DeMarco's Dinosauriana (except the Collect Club ones, unfortunately). If you pm me your email address, I can send you the relevant pdfs. I'd also love to know the sculptors of all my toys, but sadly so many are anonymous.

Wow! You know, I've never counted my dinosaurs; but they certainly do seem to add up faster than one might think. I'll send a PM, that Dinosauraina sounds really useful

I've never counted them either, in truth, but I keep track of them in a spreadsheet. I let the computer count them!

Today, Lower Cretaceous coelurosaurs:


Favorite Pelecanimimus (Fukui Museum)
Scale: 1:25
Sculptor: Kazunari Araki
Released: 2015


Kanna Dinosaur Center "Sanchusaurus" (nomen nudum)
Scale: ?


CollectA Beishanlong
Scale: 1:25
Released: 2016


Yowie Kakuru (Lost Kingdoms B)
Scale: 1:30
Released: 2001


Kaiyodo Sinosauropteryx (Dinotales 1.2)
Scale: 1:15
Sculptor: Ataru Sugaya
Released: 2001


Yowie Timimus (Lost Kingdoms B)
Scale: 1:30
Released: 2001


Safari Dilong (Feathered Dinos Toob)
Scale: 1:20
Sculptor: Doug Watson
Released: 2009


Safari Dilong (Carnegie Collection)
Scale: 1:10
Sculptor: Forest Rogers
Released: 2006


CollectA Eotyrannus. God, eww.
Scale: 1:25
Released: 2010


CollectA Xiongguanlong
Scale: 1:30
Released: 2015


Safari Yutyrannus
Scale: 1:40
Sculptor: Doug Watson
Released: 2015

[Halichoeres]

The remaining Lower Cretaceous theropods:


Favorite Concavenator (Fukui Museum)
Scale: 1:25
Sculptor: Kazunari Araki
Released: 2014


Kaiyodo Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis (Capsule Q "Dinosaurs of Japan")
Scale: 1:40
Sculptor: Takashi Kinoshita
Released: 2016


Favorite Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis (Fukui Museum)
Scale: 1:20
Sculptor: Kazunari Araki
Released: 2015


CollectA Neovenator (Deluxe version)
Scale: 1:20
Released: 2012


Geoworld Altispinax (=Becklespinax)
Scale: 1:40
Released: 2012


Safari Suchomimus
Scale: 1:40
Sculptor: Doug Watson
Released: 2014


Papo Baryonyx
Scale: 1:20
Sculptor: Seo Jung-woon
Released: 2016


CollectA Irritator
Scale: 1:45
Released: 2011


CollectA Ichthyovenator
Scale: 1:40
Released: 2014


CollectA Spinosaurus (Deluxe version)
Scale: 1:35
Released: 2016


Favorite Spinosaurus (Dinostoreus desktop model)
Sculptor: Takashi Oda
Scale: 1:40
Released: 2005


Papo Acrocanthosaurus
Scale: 1:35
Sculptor: Seo Jung-woon
Released: 2017

[Sim]

I thought you might want to know you've got the Fukuiraptor listed as Fukuisaurus.

[ZoPteryx]

This makes me realize that spinosaurs are probably the best represented group of dinosaurs on the market in terms of the number of species represented by toys compared to the total number of valid species.  Ironic considering how poorly known most are.

[BlueKrono]

Has anyone ever made a Concavenator that actually reflects the most complete skeleton we have? Most seem to lack the spine at the base of the tail. Do you think the spinous processes broke off or weren't actually present?





And I know you're a fish guy, but that 12 year old Dinostoreus is pretty outdated, especially the sail shape. What gives? 

[Halichoeres]

I thought you might want to know you've got the Fukuiraptor listed as Fukuisaurus.

Thanks! Fixed. I should proofread more.

This makes me realize that spinosaurs are probably the best represented group of dinosaurs on the market in terms of the number of species represented by toys compared to the total number of valid species.  Ironic considering how poorly known most are.

Yeah, there's an awful lot of figures. Pretty much every taxon, even Ostafrikasaurus, which is known from a single tooth. I probably have things that fragmentary in my collection, but the Brawlasaurs went too far even for my lax standards for inclusion of a genus.

Has anyone ever made a Concavenator that actually reflects the most complete skeleton we have? Most seem to lack the spine at the base of the tail. Do you think the spinous processes broke off or weren't actually present?



And I know you're a fish guy, but that 12 year old Dinostoreus is pretty outdated, especially the sail shape. What gives? 

I don't know enough about Concavenator to comment on that. Maybe the Carnegie looks closest to that? The Carnegie also has the advantage of lacking the little arm quills.

Yeah, I have that Dinostoreus for the gar. Shame about the sail, but I also like having a bipedal Spinosaurus because I take a fairly dim view of the Ibrahim et al. reconstruction. It might be correct, but I am not convinced yet.

[Shonisaurus]

From my point of view I think both the paleoartística representation of the concavenator and the ichyovenator is too hasty, I understand that it is very premature to know what they really were like. I honestly do not think they had both dinosaurs one of the carcharodontosauroidea family and another one of the spinosauroid family the appearance shown by the scientists. It is all too tentative would need to know more remains of those dinosaurs and that is very difficult not to say impossible to be lucky to find remains of such complete dinosaurs in a considerable part of the cases unfortunately.

[Halichoeres]

From my point of view I think both the paleoartística representation of the concavenator and the ichyovenator is too hasty, I understand that it is very premature to know what they really were like. I honestly do not think they had both dinosaurs one of the carcharodontosauroidea family and another one of the spinosauroid family the appearance shown by the scientists. It is all too tentative would need to know more remains of those dinosaurs and that is very difficult not to say impossible to be lucky to find remains of such complete dinosaurs in a considerable part of the cases unfortunately.

If the diagram BlueKrono posted is correct, then Concavenator is known from pretty good remains. I can live with a little ambiguity on the shape of the neural spines over the hips. But I agree that Ichthyovenator, like most spinosaurids, is pretty damn fragmentary.


Lower Cretaceous sauropsids:


Favorite Tambatitanis
Scale: 1:40
Sculptor: Hirokazu Tokugawa
Released: 2014


PNSO Huanghetitan
Scale: 1:18
Sculptor: Zhao Chuang
Released: 2016


CollectA Daxiatitan
Scale: 1:50-1:55
Released: 2015


Takara Tomy Sauroposeidon (Dinosaur Train)
Scale: 1:75-1:80


CollectA Agustinia (Deluxe version)
Scale: 1:40
Released: 2008


Safari Nigersaurus
Scale: 1:30
Released: 2009


Safari Amargasaurus
Scale: 1:35
Sculptor: Forest Rogers
Released: 2007


Playskool Ultrasaurus (Definitely Dinosaurs)
Scale: 1:17
Released: 1989


PNSO Euhelopus
Scale: 1:25
Sculptor: Zhao Chuang
Released: 2016


Mojö Sarcosuchus
Scale: 1:45
Released: 2011


Safari Dakosaurus (Prehistoric Crocs Toob)
Scale: 1:50
Released: 2011


Safari Kronosaurus
Scale: 1:30
Released: 2017


Yowie Umoonasaurus (Lost Kingdoms B, "Eric the Pliosaur," formerly Leptocleidus but the specimen has been reassigned)
Scale: 1:35-1:40
Released: 2001


Kaiyodo Sinemys gamera (Dinotales 1.2)
Scale: 1:5
Sculptor: Goro Furuta
Released: 2001


Playmobil "flying lizard," which I use as a Xianglong. As such, it's about 1:3 scale.

[Halichoeres]

The rest of the Lower Cretaceous: vertebrates, mollusks (including a new one!), tracheophytes.


Paleo-Creatures Repenomamus
Scale: 1:10
Sculptor: Jesús Toledo Arriaza
Released: 2016


Yowie Steropodon (Lost Kingdoms A)
Scale: 1:7
Released: 2000


Yowie Kollikodon (Lost Kingdoms B)
Scale: 1:15
Released: 2001


Kaiyodo Axelrodichthys (Dinotales 1, 1.2)
Scale: 1:10
Sculptor: Takashi Kinoshita
Released: 2001


Dinostoreus cf. Obaichthys, a.k.a. the reason to buy a Spinosaurus statue
Scale: ~1:40
Sculptor: Takashi Oda


Kanna Dinosaur Center Lepidotes sp.
Scale: 1:20
Released: 2016


Safari Diplomystus (Ancient Fossils Toob)
Scale: 1:10
Released: 2009


Safari Hybodus (Prehistoric Sharks Toob)
Scale: 1:20
Released: 2011


Kaiyodo Douvilleiceras (Dinotales 4)
Scale: 1:3
Sculptor: Takashi Kinoshita
Released: 2003


Yowie Tropaeum imperator (Lost Kingdoms B)
Scale: 1:25
Released: 2001


CollectA Australiceras (Prehistoric Marine tube). Probably missing some arms? Probably also with the aptychus in the wrong position. Minor quibbles, though, I'm happy to have more ammonite diversity on the shelf, even if this one isn't necessarily the best for dioramas (I don't have a lot of 1:5 sea monsters).
Scale: 1:5
Released: 2017


CollectA Monanthesia and Cycadeoidea
Scale: 1:18
Released: 2012

[bmathison1972]

Nice collection. I want the accessories with the Paleocasts Tully Monster. Paleocasts is apparently taking a short hiatus but if I see that diorama offered, I'll buy it just for the accessories!

[postsaurischian]

  Wonderful collection! Do you have a source for the Dinotales sculptors?

[Ezikot]

Thank you very much, Halichoeres, for sharing your wonderful collection.
You gave me lots of really useful infos about the figures.

Concerning the starlux figures, here (http://toyanimal.info//index.php?title=Starlux_Prehistoric) it is written
"The Starlux Prehistoric serie began with five models in 1968, the Mammoth, Diplodocus, Iguanodon, Aurochs and Cave bear. Maurice Massat sculpted all the models of this series".
(Still, I'm not sure it means he sculpted the whole Prehistoric serie or just the first five figures)