CollectA: New for 2023

[JimoAi]

The rumours are true!

[Renecito]

[suspsy]

https://blog.everythingdinosaur.com/blog/_archives/2022/11/18/new-collecta-models-2023-part-3.html

Damn you, CollectA. I had resolved that I was perfectly happy with my 2014 Mosasaurus. And now you've gone and made me renege on that resolution! Just look at that bigger, beefier, badder, beautiful beast! 39 freaking cm long! Where the hell am I supposed to put it?

The Shastasaurus also looks quite nice. I especially like the killer whale-inspired colours. Glad it's not Deluxe size as well!

[JimoAi]

All I can say that the Mosasaurus is the best on currently! Though the 1:40 scale as usual isn't accurate considering a 12m individual unless they could get bigger. Though I prefer the 2014 one due to the size however that figure has got some serious shrinkwrapping

The shashtasaurus is nice but would be better to be larger unless it represents S.pacificus

[Dusty Wren]

I know Everything Dinosaur described the Shastasaurus' color scheme as orca-like, but it mostly looks like a big penguin to me. Still, nice to see CollectA do another ichthyosaur.

[Flaffy]

I really wish they had sculpted the Shastasaurus with it's mouth closed. At least with the Mosasaurus, it includes an articulated jaw for increased poseability. Minor gripe aside, it looks good so far! Always nice to see CollectA expanding plastic Icthyosaur diverty, followed by PNSO of course. Digging the penguine-like colour scheme / patterning; and it's nice to see Shastasaurus being depicted as such rather than just a scaled down Shonisaurus. IIRC newer reconstructions depict Shastasaurus as a much sleeker animal than the even more massive Shonisaurus?

Loving the Mosasaurus, from what I can see it has proper Mosasaurus proportions too instead of Tylosaurus-like proportions (another reason why I'm not using PNSO's Tylosaurus as Mosasaurus). Big step up from their previous attempt, and to my knowledge the only proper Mosasaurus on the market.

Top: Old CollectA Mosasaurus;  Middle: Scott Hartman's Tylosaurus;  Bottom: PWNZ3R-Dragon's Mosasaurus.

[Flaffy]

Also, I guess this all but confirms the last two reveals being Koolasuchus and Stegouros! Bring them on!

[Pliosaurking]

Now that's what I'm talking about! These both look fantastic especially that Mosasaurus!

[Faelrin]

Oh these two look fantastic. I was eyeing the old CollectA Mosasaurus for a while now but guess this is better to go with. I really like the skin detail on that close up pic. I agree with @suspsy in that it's quite a big one. Like half the size of the Mattel one just about.

Looking forward to the Stegouros and Koolasuchus next week hopefully, the latter of which I've been wanting for quite a while now.

Edit: Would this be their first year without an extinct Cenozoic animal if that holds true? A bit strange for them.

[Concavenator]

I really like those 2 for the most part and I will probably be adding them to my wishlist, but I'll admit I find the Globidens teeth on the Mosasaurus to be off-putting (seriously CollectA, the 2014 one got that right...).

Also what Shastasaurus species is that meant to represent? Anyone knows? @dinotoyforum 

[dinofelid]

Loving the Mosasaurus, from what I can see it has proper Mosasaurus proportions too instead of Tylosaurus-like proportions (another reason why I'm not using PNSO's Tylosaurus as Mosasaurus). Big step up from their previous attempt, and to my knowledge the only proper Mosasaurus on the market.

In terms of accuracy, where would you say it improves on the 2019 PNSO Mosasaurus?

[Flaffy]

Loving the Mosasaurus, from what I can see it has proper Mosasaurus proportions too instead of Tylosaurus-like proportions (another reason why I'm not using PNSO's Tylosaurus as Mosasaurus). Big step up from their previous attempt, and to my knowledge the only proper Mosasaurus on the market.

In terms of accuracy, where would you say it improves on the 2019 PNSO Mosasaurus?

Just at a glance, the PNSO Mosasaurus suffers from a couple of issues:
- Tail is too long
- Distal end (of the tail) tapers too much when it should be more robust
- Digits overly exposed, almost like it's suffering from localised wasting in it's flippers
- Flipper shape might not be correct(?)
- Skull is too long and gracile, was very robust in Mosasaurus

And personally, the soft tissue is much more convincing on the CollectA compared to PNSO's. Especially around the head.

I'm hesitant to comment on the CollectA since there aren't any proper side views. But to me it looks better than the PNSO. I'm sure @dinotoyforum could tell you way more about the two though.

[Concavenator]

Thank you for sharing that info with us, @Flaffy

BTW, do you know what species these are? I did a quick research and S.pacificus seems to be fragmentary, and not sure about M.hoffmani either.

[TheCambrianCrusader]

Holy... that is one amazing Mosasaurus, definitely the best on the market.
Also a bit late but while that Anomalocaris def has flaws I still think its one of the better figures available and I'm way too much of a paleozoic fanboy to not get it.

[BlueKrono]

Well I'm tremendously excited. That's four of their figures I'll need next year... five if they make a Koolasuchus.

[ceratopsian]

Personally I think the leaks spoiled the fun of having the traditional Friday reveal in this case.  I'd rather have waited a couple of weeks and found out on the nominated Friday morning.

[TheCambrianCrusader]

The barnacles on the Shastasaurus is a really nice touch. Always love to see more Triassic representation. Can't wait for the Stegouros and Koolasuchus

[Flaffy]

EverythingDinosaur's response regarding specific species ID:

" We are not aware of any species of Mosasaurus being defined by CollectA.  As for the Shastasaurus figure the Orca inspired colouration infers that this represents an ichthyosaur of similar size so perhaps the type species Shastasaurus pacificus.

However, the presence of barnacles on the model which suggests a much larger animal comparable to some of the larger cetaceans around today, so possibly S. sikanniensis although CollectA have not provided additional information to give you a definitive answer."

[Bread]

Oh my!!!!!

I've been looking for a Mosasaur for a bit now. PNSO's looked weird to me, CollectA's old version was okay, but this newer variant is exceptional! It looks great! Definitely need a repaint to represent a certain media

Shastasaurus is one species I am just now learning about. Most likely a pass for now. Looks great though!

Now bring on the Koolasuchus!!!

[bmathison1972]

I was only going to get the rough collie from round 3, but excitement on the DTF makes me wonder if I should get the Mosasaurus (you guys are all way more knowledgeable about how they should look than I!!!!)