I’m pleased to announce that the Dinosaur Toy Blog recently received a number of review samples representing the entire Carnegie Collection, courtesy of Safari Ltd. So, prepare yourself for a Carnegie Collection bonanza of reviews over the next few weeks! We’ve already reviewed the two exciting 2009 additions to the Carnegie collection, the Spinosaurus and Tylosaurus, so now it’s time to look at some of the other existing models in the line. Let’s continue with the tank-like Ankylosaurus!
The 19 cm long Carnegie Collection Ankylosaurus is a relatively new addition to the line, released in 2004. As far as ankylosaurs go the sculpt is quite active – the legs are striding and the head is raised with the mouth open. The heavy-duty tail club is hovering over the ground ready to swipe at any T.rex foolish enough to venture too close. The overall colour scheme is pale lime green with white armour, but there are some nice additonal details – a blue ring around each eye and two blue spots on the tail club. The inside of the open mouth is pink there is a little tongue just visible.
The most distinctive aspect of the ankylosaurs is their armour, which consists of an array or studs, scutes and spines. In many ankylosaur toys the arrangement of these bony elements in rather generic, but the Carnegie Ankylosaurus presents a very particular distribution, which appears to be based on a recent restoration by Kenneth Carpenter published in 2004 (the same year this figure was produced). This indicates Safari’s dedication to providing up-to-date and accurate figures.
The four triangular horns on the head are highlighted in white, the detailed bony surface of the skull is the same colour as the skin and consists of numerous bumps. It matches the fossil skull perfectly. The number of digits is correct – there are three toes on each hind leg and four on each front leg. Number of toes and fingers is another detail overlooked in other ankylosaur figures. The shape and form of the tail matches the fossil remains exceedingly well, as does the figure in general, making this a definite keeper for fans of these spectacular dinosaurs!
Available from Safari.com (here) and Amazon.com (here)
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I have one of these and love it, but mine doesn’t have the blue on it or the tail markings…is that just a factory/painting error or did some of them not come with those details?
[…] various Ankylosaurus toys that have been reviewed here on the DTB over the years range from the truly superb to the decidedly subpar. But the one I’ve got to review today may well be the most hideous of […]
[…] derives its name from the magnificent state of preservation the type specimen was found in. Like Ankylosaurus and Euoplocephalus, it was covered in heavy armour and bore a large club at the end of its tail. […]
[…] toy is dragged down considerably by its many inaccuracies. It certainly pales in comparison to the Carnegie Collection figure, which remains the best Ankylosaurus toy to date in my humble opinion. Hopefully CollectA will […]
Still the best rendition of this genus. Could you please tag this review so that it shows up with the other Ankylosaurus toys on the Genera page?
[…] (From the delightfully thorough Dinosaur Toy Blog.) […]
I got this years ago. With the possible exception of the Battat E. tutus, it’s probably the most accurate ankylosaur available.
[…] choices for collectors include the impressive Carnegie Ankylosaurus (similarly posed in an active stance) and the Saichania from Schleich (which the company has […]
[…] the back of the animal seem to be of the right animal this time and highly resemble the ones on the Carnegie Ankylosaurus, although they are a bit smaller and less bulky looking. Araki’s sculpture portrays a heavy […]
[…] seem fair to count this as a criticism – however, it is worth comparing with the Carnegie Ankylosaurus which has the ‘new(ish) look’ armour. (Notice in particular the lack of shoulder […]
[…] armour, way back in the 1900s. It’s very interesting to compare this with the Carnegie model, which represents a modern interpretation of the animal – other modern Ankylosaurus toys […]
Aside from the tail, the overall pose is almost exactly like the retired Euoplocephalus.