Safari Ltd - new for 2014

[Concavenator]

Do we advise the manufacturer to make the feet bigger to help stabilise the stance or should the feet be made in proportion and the tail tip use to balance the replica?

I still advocate detachable bases, but I understand this may be an issue for retailers (as pointed out by Blade).

Although it doesn't apply to T. rex, there's also the possibility of using the very tips of hand claws or arm feathers to balance the model as a tripod (as in the Carnegie Beipiaosaurus).

Whatever,but no tripods anymore plz Carnegie.Not clown feet either as they are supposed to be accurate,and bigger feet are out of proportions.What about sitting/laying poses?That'd be quite original and would give the market something unusual.

[tyrantqueen]

For more collector orientated models, I think it would be nice to see stands to prop up the model. As seen here, with the SEGA UFO prize Tyrannosaurus:



And also here, as seen with the Kaiyodo Dinotales Elasmosaurus



Even Invicta included little plastic stands for their marine reptiles. I think Favorite Ltd. are going in the right direction as well.

So for me, removable stands/bases > clown feet or tripod poses. The only issue is when the stand is lost. My own SEGA Tyrannosaurus did not include the stand (the original owner probably lost it or got rid of it) so I have to lean it against another surface so it can stand. 

[tyrantqueen]

On the other hand, as you're a Brit like me, you might be better off getting the featherless T. rex from Favorite (by Araki), available from Dinosaur Time, instead (if you don't have it already).

Yep, already own it

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Do we advise the manufacturer to make the feet bigger to help stabilise the stance or should the feet be made in proportion and the tail tip use to balance the replica?

I still advocate detachable bases, but I understand this may be an issue for retailers (as pointed out by Blade).

Although it doesn't apply to T. rex, there's also the possibility of using the very tips of hand claws or arm feathers to balance the model as a tripod (as in the Carnegie Beipiaosaurus).

I think a small detachable base would be the best of both worlds myself..it's just showing retailers they can work well.

[amargasaurus cazaui]

I guess I do not understand, but I am trying to figure out why it would be any more accurate or preferable for a dinosaur to be posed leaning on a claw, wing or feather as opposed to its tail tip?Neither scenario seems particularly feasible or likely .....what is the net difference ?

[amargasaurus cazaui]

I wonder if we might have overlooked a potential answer....suppose the dinosaurs were made bottom heavy so they stand properly? I have seen this done with resin models ...does not seem like it would be that difficult to produce the dinosaur so the weight would be in the feet, causing it to stand, rather than along the upper body or tail.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I wonder if we might have overlooked a potential answer....suppose the dinosaurs were made bottom heavy so they stand properly? I have seen this done with resin models ...does not seem like it would be that difficult to produce the dinosaur so the weight would be in the feet, causing it to stand, rather than along the upper body or tail.

That works with resin or vinyl to an extent since they are hollow and can be filled with a heavy material. I think Safari's figures are solid. It would require Safari to make their dinos hollow for the most part.

[amargasaurus cazaui]

I wonder if we might have overlooked a potential answer....suppose the dinosaurs were made bottom heavy so they stand properly? I have seen this done with resin models ...does not seem like it would be that difficult to produce the dinosaur so the weight would be in the feet, causing it to stand, rather than along the upper body or tail.

That works with resin or vinyl to an extent since they are hollow and can be filled with a heavy material. I think Safari's figures are solid. It would require Safari to make their dinos hollow for the most part.

And why would that be an issue if it solves the problem? Seems easier than the other ideas offered.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I wonder if we might have overlooked a potential answer....suppose the dinosaurs were made bottom heavy so they stand properly? I have seen this done with resin models ...does not seem like it would be that difficult to produce the dinosaur so the weight would be in the feet, causing it to stand, rather than along the upper body or tail.

That works with resin or vinyl to an extent since they are hollow and can be filled with a heavy material. I think Safari's figures are solid. It would require Safari to make their dinos hollow for the most part.

And why would that be an issue if it solves the problem? Seems easier than the other ideas offered.

I believe to make them hollow that requires a different casting technique and maybe a different material ? Something that could be costly ..it would mean Safari would need to change some things at the factory could be something they aren't willing to consider...but I agree it could work ..though the figures also need to properly balanced. A vinyl Rex with weighted legs sometimes works..other times it still needs a prop or pines in the feet... just depends on the sculpt.

[tyrantqueen]

Vinyl is a double edged sword. It has good details and is flexible...but if it is hollow, it warps and sags over time, which is a pain in the butt. I have recently acquired a Kaiyodo Triceratops, which has sagged so badly that its legs look crippled. If it was in pieces and waiting to be assembled, I would have stuffed the body with aluminium foil and filled the legs with plaster. But I can't, because this one is already assembled and I can't take it apart.

The hand of time is the worst enemy to vinyl dinos....some of the Kaiyodo vinyls are over twenty years old.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Vinyl is a double edged sword. It has good details and is flexible...but if it is hollow, it warps and sags over time, which is a pain in the butt. I have recently acquired a Kaiyodo Triceratops, which has sagged so badly that its legs look crippled. If it was in pieces and waiting to be assembled, I would have stuffed the body with aluminium foil and filled the legs with plaster. But I can't, because this one is already assembled and I can't take it apart.

The hand of time is the worst enemy to vinyl dinos....some of the Kaiyodo vinyls are over twenty years old.

Be glad they aren't latex.. everything is an enemy to it.    

The bigger the piece and the more weight the vinyl has to support makes it rougher on it. The infamous Screamin' Models Red Dragon of Krynn is known for the wings sagging til they break loose.   My Kaiyodo Brachiosaurus I had weighted and foam filled. That will support the vinyl indefinitely.   TQ you may consider sending your Trike to Martin for rehabilitation. He wouldn't charge much for bringing it back to life for you I don't think. 

[Horridus]

I guess I do not understand, but I am trying to figure out why it would be any more accurate or preferable for a dinosaur to be posed leaning on a claw, wing or feather as opposed to its tail tip?Neither scenario seems particularly feasible or likely .....what is the net difference ?

The trick is to make it not look as if the animal is actually leaning on claws/plumage for support - it's just that this happens to be how the model doesn't fall over. As long as someone did a velociraptorine dromaeosaur correctly, this would be easy; just have a feather tip or two on the arms touching the ground.

[Bokisaurus]

Ammonite from the Wild Safari line. Nice figure, love how realistic the eyes are.

I know, after early releases, it seems like Safari's supposedly 2014 figures feels like old news already

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I need to make a pterosaur catching one of these guys..

[Takama]

I need to make a pterosaur catching one of these guys..

How about Dsungaripterus?   I always liked the name of this pterosaur and I believe its mouth was specialized in cracking shells, and a Ammonite could be the victim.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I need to make a pterosaur catching one of these guys..

How about Dsungaripterus?   I always liked the name of this pterosaur and I believe its mouth was specialized in cracking shells, and a Ammonite could be the victim.

Might be neat..how big was it ? 

My next pterosaur is supposed to be the Quetz..but a small one in between might be okay. I was actually thinking something like a Cearadactyl...all toothy and what not.

[Concavenator]

What abour Guidraco venator?I think it's a very weird species.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

What abour Guidraco venator?I think it's a very weird species.

Can't say I've ever heard of that one ?

[Takama]

I need to make a pterosaur catching one of these guys..

How about Dsungaripterus?   I always liked the name of this pterosaur and I believe its mouth was specialized in cracking shells, and a Ammonite could be the victim.

Might be neat..how big was it ? 

My next pterosaur is supposed to be the Quetz..but a small one in between might be okay. I was actually thinking something like a Cearadactyl...all toothy and what not.

Three meters long (I think that's the wingspan)

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I need to make a pterosaur catching one of these guys..

How about Dsungaripterus?   I always liked the name of this pterosaur and I believe its mouth was specialized in cracking shells, and a Ammonite could be the victim.

Might be neat..how big was it ? 

My next pterosaur is supposed to be the Quetz..but a small one in between might be okay. I was actually thinking something like a Cearadactyl...all toothy and what not.

Three meters long (I think that's the wingspan)

hmm I would agree, most likely the wingspan.  That around 10' ? I think if I did that one I'd need a bigger ammonite..this guy is only around 4-5" ...lol