Diplodocus (Battat)

Genus: Brand: Classification: , Age: Type:
4.7 (18 votes)

Review and photos by Bokisaurus, edited by Suspsy

Without a doubt, the Battat line of dinosaur figures is one of the most famous that has ever been produced. Since its original release back in the mid-1990s’ and up to its most recent revival, so much has been said about the line that it is safe to skip all the history behind it. Instead, I will share a little bit of my own history and how the Battat line started my dinosaur figure collecting. Before the age of computer and online stores, catalogues and magazine ads were how you found things. I’m not sure exactly how I saw the ad for Battat dinosaurs, but I remember that when I saw those pictures, I wanted them. My search involved sending a letter (yes, you remember writing those, right?) to Battat Inc. and inquiring where I could purchase their figures. It took months, but I finally did hear back from them with a short list of stores that carried their product. Unfortunately for me, all of the stores were more than 60 miles away from where I lived at that time.

img_8696

The distance did not deter me, so I took a road trip to Seattle and after visiting each store on the list, I finally found the toys! I was stunned by the beauty of each figure as I examined them on the shelf. Alas, I did not see the Diplodocus among those on display. As I was purchasing the set, one of the employees noticed that I was missing the most expensive and biggest figure from the line. He came over and asked me if I was aware that there was a “Brontosaurus” that went with the set. I told him I was aware and was looking for it, but did not see it on the shelf. He informed me that they had one in the back which was kept there because it was taking up too much space and was not selling due to its expensive price (it was retailing for $25 back then!). I promptly told him that I wanted it! And when he handed me the wrapped figure, I was in disbelief. I was so excited that I forgot that I had just spent my entire months grocery budget on toys! So why is the this toy so special to me and to so many others? Well, lets find out . . .

img_8698

The Battat Diplodocus (MS110) was released way back in 1995 as part of the first series. It was one of the nine dinosaur figures that the late Dan LoRusso sculpted for the line. Like all other figures in the collection, it was done at 1:40 scale. As I have mentioned in one of my other reviews, there is nothing more awe-inspiring that a rearing sauropod. And this is the figure that first began that trend among toy companies continues to this day. But none of these later releases come close to attaining the same majestic beauty that this toy has achieved.

img_8695

Standing close to 14 inches tall, this figure used to tower over all my sauropods until the arrival of PNSO’s Euhelopus. The sculpting is first class. It is truly a well-crafted and well-researched piece of art, a real testament to Dan’s talent as an artist. The figure is rich in details both big and small. The small head is nicely detailed and the peg-like teeth are individually sculpted. The mouth is slightly open, just enough to see those teeth. The eyes are painted yellow, and right above them on the tops of the head sit the nostrils. The neck is muscular as it should be. You can see loose skin on the underside of the neck being pulled down by gravity. You can also see the outline of the neck vertebrae, but nothing like the shrink-wrapped look that so many sauropod figures suffer from. There is a clear rise on the back where the neural spines are located.

img_8697

The skin is textured like an elephant’s. There are many skin folds up and down the body adding depth and definitions. Both the shoulder blades and hip bones are clearly visible on the figure. These help create the illusion of the animal straining to lift its huge body and weight off the ground. The rearing stance is relaxed, as if the giant is slowly browsing on some delicious treetop greens. The front legs are lifted as if trying to push a tree down or just supporting its weight on a tree trunk.

img_8699

This is perhaps the first sauropod toy to depict accurate front feet. So many sauropod sculptors insist on giving these giants elephant-like front feet with multiple claws sticking out. In this figure, claws are absent from all front digits except for the thumb claws. The back legs are huge when compared with the front ones. As we travel further down the body, we reach the base of the tail. This area is very thick with muscles as it should be. Again, so many other sauropod figure have thin tail bases. The tail itself starts off as thick, then slowly becomes thinner until it reaches the halfway mark before turning into the whip-like tip. The tail is curled upwards, then inwards on the figure. The muscular tail base acts as a third leg that supports and stabilises the animal’s huge weight. The overall body colour is brown with some darker strips starting on the back and running down the sides. There is not much variation among the shades of brown and not much dry brushing either, which is a shame, as it would have added a different layer.

img_8700

In closing, the Battat Diplodocus is without a doubt one of the most accurate and majestic sauropod figures ever made. It has withstood the test of time some 20 years later. It has also earned the distinction of being one of the most highly sought-after figures, a holy grail for many collectors. In terms of dollar value, it ranks as one of the most expensive figures post-original release. I have seen one that was sold for $700 on eBay during the gold rush in the early 2000s’!

img_8701

This figure continues to rule my collection of sauropods and I expect it will forever do so. It’s been 20 years since I had this figure and still to this day, I stop and look at it with the same admiration like I did the first day I brought it home.

img_8702

Disclaimer: links to Ebay and Amazon on the DinoToyBlog are affiliate links, so we make a small commission if you use them. Thanks for supporting us!

Share this:

Comments 26

  • I can barely believe it, but I just found the Battat Diplodocus at a Habit for Humanity ReStore for $3.50!!! I’m a little bit in shock still. I go into thrift stores often, hoping to find something cool, and this time I surely did!

  • After a fairly long period of selling for 300-350 USD on eBay, I see that the prices have risen recently to upwards of 700 USD. Reminds me of an epoch at least ten years ago, when the prices had risen to 1000, give or take.

  • Hi.
    If you know somebody who is selling this piece, please let me know
    Regards

  • Hi …. Im Luis and recently knew about the existence of this magnificent piece. Do you know about somebody who’s selling it or further information on how to buy one?
    I’ll deeply thankful if you help me to buy this magnificent toy.
    Regards

    • Hi, sorry for the very late reply! Your best bet is eBay, not sure how much they go for these days.

      • Hi Bokisaurus
        Do you know about somebody who want to sell this piece?
        Im interested
        Now its rare and hard to find
        Any information will be appreciated
        Regards

  • Whats the Dino with the strange head in the group shot of the rearing Dinos? I know Collecta diplodocus, the pnso piece and of course the Battat, whats the fourth one?

  • I still have the pair I got about 20 years ago. I should’ve ordered 20.

    • Hi Tim: l’m Luis and l’m interested on this diplodocus ( BATTAT). Do you know somebody who want to sell it?. If so, please let me know
      Regards

  • Any word on when Battat will be re-releasing this guy?

  • This is one of my favorites! I only wish they could have produced a quadrupedal version to go along this iconic bipedal sculpt — that would truly make a wonderful scene. Throw in some sub-adults and a few “toddlers” and it would be magnificent. One can dream, I suppose…

  • It is the best toy sauropod I’ve seen in my life.

    I Wish I went back to market again or return to republish. It is a wonderful figure primarily as has been said by scientific precisi

  • A long overdue review. If I had this figure, I would hgave already reviewed it. But there never was a chance to get one in Germany by simply walking into a store and buying it.

  • If we have indeed seen the end of the Battat Terra line (and I hope not), then this review is a fitting conclusion. Thank you.

  • Its still one of my favorites, I purchased my set from Dan himself back in the 90’s they all still proudly share shelf space with both newer and older dino figures in my collection. 🙂

    • HI Carnosaur
      I’m Luis and l’m interested on this Diplodocus. Do you know somebody who wants to sell?
      Please let me know
      Regards

  • Nice review, Bokisaurus, … ever since I joined the blog (which isn’t too long back) I wondered why ithat legendary sauropod figure wasn’t added to the reviews as of yet.

  • Now we just need the repaint. Come on Battat!!!!

  • A great figure! More than a toy, a work of art. It is my great honor to be able to acquire this piece, and get a small sample of the great talent that Dan LoRusso had in the way of sculpting dinosaurs.

  • Truly majestic! I agree, the last picture is poetic beauty.

  • I love the last photo.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Brand

  • Dinosaur Name

  • Classification

  • Age

  • Product Type

  • News Categories

  • Video Playlists

error: Content is protected !!