Patrx's Collection (Fauna Prehistorica)

[Patrx]

Here are some of the new 2019 Safari pieces!




Citipati– This one's a real beauty; the colors are great, it balances on normal-sized (or close) feet, and my gosh, the feathers! It even looks like the manual digits are fuzzy, a detail which is almost always missed or ignored.



Coelodonta–While I don't generally get too psyched about mammal figures, I'm glad to collect something as iconic as this wooly rhinoceros. The fantastic fur textures seen on other mammals by Doug, including the beautiful mastodon from last year, is present and appreciated here. Overall, it's great! Although it would have been neat to see the dark transverse banding inferred from cave art, its absence is hardly ruinous as the pattern appears to have been highly variable.



Styracosaurus–Another dazzling Safari ceratopsid! I've really been looking forward to this one. No complaints, in fact I'll say I think this one might have the best color scheme of any so far. Replaced the Papo version.




Prestosuchus–A surprise favorite, this. The pose is dynamic and the coloration is really eye-catching and natural. Additionally, check out those super-sharp teeth and claws! Unusual for a Safari piece, which are usually subjected to some softening of edges for safety reasons. It seems like a great reconstruction, although I would like to see more integumentary variety when it comes to these diverse Triassic loricatans.

[Shonisaurus]

I am glad that you have these new figures of prehistoric animals of Safari 2019. In my case the styracosaurus of Safari replaces its Collecta counterpart although the latter is for me a great figure.

The coelodonta antiquitatis, prestosuchus and citipati are the best toy figures from my point of view of these species. Now we have to wait for the pteranodon, spinosaurus, stegosaurus and allosaurus of Safari to be put on sale in online stores. This year the sale of these emblematic prehistoric animals is obviously delayed but it is worth waiting until March when these beauties will be available.

[Patrx]

Camarasaurus–Absolutely love this figure. One of my favorite sauropods faithfully reconstructed with all of the (relatively substantial) fossil evidence accounted for. And check out that withering glare!

[PhilSauria]

Great photos of a terrific Sauropod figure. Clearly the days of the large Sauropod figures are not quite behind us. I have one on layby at Mini Zoo and look forward to getting my hands on it. Still like the Carnegie Camarasaurus and the two will be standing side by side in my display when it arrives. Love that 'withering glance'.

[Shonisaurus]

At last Safari makes sauropods at a reasonable size. The Safari 2018 amargasaurus was an example and is not an exception to the 2019 Safari camarasaurus. A more realistic figure is the Safari camarasaurus than its Carnegie counterpart with a few lips and abandoning the image of the camarasaurus with a fleshless jaw.

[Patrx]

Great photos of a terrific Sauropod figure. Clearly the days of the large Sauropod figures are not quite behind us. I have one on layby at Mini Zoo and look forward to getting my hands on it. Still like the Carnegie Camarasaurus and the two will be standing side by side in my display when it arrives. Love that 'withering glance'.

Thanks! I was actually pretty surprised at how big it is, it looks pretty imposing on the shelf. To me, the face is one of contempt for the scurrying mammalian upstarts who seem to be running the show these days 

At last Safari makes sauropods at a reasonable size. The Safari 2018 amargasaurus was an example and is not an exception to the 2019 Safari camarasaurus. A more realistic figure is the Safari camarasaurus than its Carnegie counterpart with a few lips and abandoning the image of the camarasaurus with a fleshless jaw.

I don't have the latest Safari Amargasaurus (the old Carnegie is reasonably accurate and helps conserve shelf space), but I'm told it's at least as big as this new Camarasaurus. And yes, the soft tissue on the Camarasaurus' skull is one of the things I like most about it as a reconstruction! Exposed teeth are especially freaky on sauropods.

[Concavenator]

As  I have said before, this is my favorite collection thread.I really like  the figures you have and those stunning photos.Congrats on your new acquisitions 

Also,Patrx, I have a question to you: What do you think about the Eofauna Giganotosaurus?

[Patrx]

As  I have said before, this is my favorite collection thread.I really like  the figures you have and those stunning photos.Congrats on your new acquisitions 
Also,Patrx, I have a question to you: What do you think about the Eofauna Giganotosaurus?

Thanks very much! I want to like the EoFauna Giganotosaurus, it's clear they put a lot of work into it. But, with so much uncertainty about the real skull shape, the figure's articulated jaw, and (as is nearly always the case), the exposed teeth, I'm not sure I'll pick it up. Giganotosaurus and its relatives, while interesting, are definitely my least-favorite dinosaurs, so for now, if I decide to add a Giga at all, it'll probably be the cheaper Safari figure.

Here are some pieces I've had for a while, but never got around to photographing until recently!


Brachiosaurus altithorax, by Forest Rogers for Safari, Ltd. Really elegant figure. It has great skin detail, accurate hands and feet, correct external nares, and I dig the vibrant colors! I begin to feel like a broken record, though, when I say I wish the teeth were covered.



Tarbosaurus bataar, by Hirokazu Tokugawa for Favorite Co. Another really pretty figure, accurately proportioned and amazingly well-balanced on two normal-sized feet. I especially like the soft tissue details, the "lips" covering the teeth and the dewlap on the neck. The scales are probably a bit big, based on the tyrannosaurid skin we have, but none of that was published when this was designed–and, unlike some figures, the scales aren't carved really deep into the surface, so the overall effect is nicely subtle.

[PhilSauria]

More terrific images and a fine pair of figures to (literally) focus on!

That Brachiosaurus has long been one of my faves, that and the Safari 2008 along with the Kinto and Favorite are the best of this species in plastic in my opinion. Hopefully if Safari continues to replace the Carnegies then I really want Doug Watson to do a Brachiosaur, especially after what he did with the Camarasaur this year, and not the sculptor of that over-fed bright blue Diplodocus!

Great Tarbosaurus too. One I don't have and have kinda given up on getting hold of unfortunately.

Thanks for posting these.

[Shonisaurus]

Fabulous additions to your Patrx collection. Sincerely, the brachiosaurus of Safari represents a figure very well made and with colors as you say vibrant but at the same time nothing garish and elegant. He is my favorite brachiosaurus of this company and is almost equal to Carnegie's brachiosaurus and Papo's brachiosaurus.

As for Favorite's tarbosaurus, he is an extraordinary and at the same time praiseworthy figure on the part of Favorite. He is my first tyrannosauroid theropod figure that I have apart from the well-known tyrannosaurus rex. I hope that one day toy dinosaur companies take note when making Tyrannosauroids other than Tyrannosaurus. On the other hand, its protoplumes give it a very scientific aspect. Hurray for Favorite! I congratulate you Patrx.

[Patrx]

Thanks again, folks! That Carnegie is definitely my favorite one available; I haven't seen the Favorite soft model in person but it does look pretty good in photos. Based on the way Doug's Camarasaurus turned out, I would be very glad to see what he would make of a brachiosaurid! Maybe Giraffititan, just for variety, and by virtue of being better-known?

I had help from the indispensable @brettnj in getting my Favorite Tarbosaurus, otherwise I don't think I'd have ever found one. I would also love to see more of the non-Tyrannosaurus tyrannosaurids represented in figures. Unfortunately, much as I'd like to, I don't think I really like the looks of Papo's new Gorgosaurus.

[Mononykus]

Based on the way Doug's Camarasaurus turned out, I would be very glad to see what he would make of a brachiosaurid! Maybe Giraffititan, just for variety, and by virtue of being better-known?

For variety they should make an actual Brachiosaurus altithorax, since every "Brachiosaurus" out there, with one exception, is actually based on Giraffatitan brancai. The exception is the 2012 Carnegie, which is the ONLY B. altithorax figure I am aware of.

[Patrx]

For variety they should make an actual Brachiosaurus altithorax, since every "Brachiosaurus" out there, with one exception, is actually based on Giraffatitan brancai. The exception is the 2012 Carnegie, which is the ONLY B. altithorax figure I am aware of.

I suppose that's so! That Carnegie is the only figure I have of either genus. Still, I wonder if, should Doug make one to "replace" the Carnegie, it would be Giraffititan due to the more complete remains, similar to the way this year's Citipati replaces the old Carnegie Oviraptor.

[Gothmog the Baryonyx]

They are both great figures, congrats on your (not so) recent acquisitions, I also picked both up last year (and thanks to Brett for the Tarbosaurus), I like the Saurolophus more than the Tarbosaurus but it is still a magnificent figures. And that Brachiosaurus is possibly Rogers' best work, truly beautiful sculpt.
Also your photography skills are excellent.

[Concavenator]

Patrx, how do you think Carnegie's Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus accuracy hold up today?

When the Brachiosaurus came out back in 2012, it was easily the most accurate one then, and now I imagine it will still be relatively accurate, isn't it?

However, I have more doubts with the Diplodocus. It doesn't have those spikes on its back and the pose, while elegant , I don't know if it could have been possible ( it's a little arched down).Anyways it's a beautiful model, just like the outdated Carnegie 2009 Spinosaurus.

And I think a Brachiosaurus resculpt would be unnecessary. The Carnegie version is pretty hard to top.However, they'll probably end up resculpting it as it's a very well know dinosaur , but probably, they might release a Giraffatitan as you say.
For example, I felt like this year's Carnotaurus resculpt was quite unnecessary, even though it's a good figure. The Carnegie one is amazing and I personally think it's a lot better than this new version.

[Patrx]

They are both great figures, congrats on your (not so) recent acquisitions, I also picked both up last year (and thanks to Brett for the Tarbosaurus), I like the Saurolophus more than the Tarbosaurus but it is still a magnificent figures. And that Brachiosaurus is possibly Rogers' best work, truly beautiful sculpt.
Also your photography skills are excellent.

Much appreciated! Been meaning to track down the Saurolophus myself. Also, I approve of Rogers' aesthetic sensibilities overall, though I do find the Carnegies as a group to be highly variable, with the Brachiosaurus as a particularly good sculpt.

Patrx, how do you think Carnegie's Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus accuracy hold up today?
When the Brachiosaurus came out back in 2012, it was easily the most accurate one then, and now I imagine it will still be relatively accurate, isn't it?
However, I have more doubts with the Diplodocus. It doesn't have those spikes on its back and the pose, while elegant , I don't know if it could have been possible ( it's a little arched down).Anyways it's a beautiful model, just like the outdated Carnegie 2009 Spinosaurus.
And I think a Brachiosaurus resculpt would be unnecessary. The Carnegie version is pretty hard to top.However, they'll probably end up resculpting it as it's a very well know dinosaur , but probably, they might release a Giraffatitan as you say.
For example, I felt like this year's Carnotaurus resculpt was quite unnecessary, even though it's a good figure. The Carnegie one is amazing and I personally think it's a lot better than this new version.

I think the Brachiosaurus definitely holds up, in fact I agree that it isn't in need of replacing, although I continue to think that the teeth should be covered. The Carnegie Diplodocus has aged much more poorly. The hands are wrong, and the neck posture seems to be beholden to the Stevens and Parrish, 1999 idea that the neck would be very inflexible, which has fallen out of favor. I mean, a Diplodocus could hold its neck out straight, probably, but it wasn't a neutral pose. Also, the Howe Quarry diplodocid does preserve some spines, particularly around the tail area, so I think a row of superficially iguana-like spines somewhere along the back would be a good thing to add to a Diplodocus sculpt. The more recent Safari Diplodocus is better in both respects, though I'd like the head held higher, and again, covered teeth.
I like the new Safari Carnotaurus better than its Carnegie predecessor in large part because of the "lips" and bipedal pose. The old one had a killer color scheme, though.

[Concavenator]

@Patrx , just wanted to ask, do you plan on getting the upcoming Papo Spinosaurus?
And also, I would like to know your opinions on the CollectA Edaphosaurus, Carnotaurus and the new Baryonyx.Will you be getting them? I personally think those 3 are real gems, but what do you think of them?

I ask you because your collection is easily my favorite in the forum, and since you know much more about paleontology than me, your opinion is to appreciate

Also, fantastic review on the new Safari Stegosaurus, your photos are top notch and your reviews are very enjoyable of reading.You should think about doing some more 

[Patrx]

Patrx , just wanted to ask, do you plan on getting the upcoming Papo Spinosaurus?
And also, I would like to know your opinions on the CollectA Edaphosaurus, Carnotaurus and the new Baryonyx.Will you be getting them? I personally think those 3 are real gems, but what do you think of them?

Well, I think I'll pass on the new Papo Spinosaurus–I appreciate that they're adopting some version of the new limb proportions, but the tail bugs me. I mentioned in another thread that I like the idea of a soft-tissue paddle or fluke, but this looks too much like a fish tail, complete with bony rays going through the paddle. Coupling that with the expense and the apparent eventual rarity of the figure, I think I'll stick with the swimming CollectA Spinosaurus I already have (even though there are things I don't like about that one as well).
Definitely planning on picking up the Edaphosaurus and Baryonx! The Edaphosaurus looks really nice in photos. I also noticed that its teeth are covered by "lips", which CollectA didn't include on their Dimetrodon. I suspect that this is because Dimetrodon is "supposed" to look like a cool predator    Originally, I was content to skip over the CollectA Carnotaurus, but man, Boki's recent review on the blog might just change my mind.

I ask you because your collection is easily my favorite in the forum, and since you know much more about paleontology than me, your opinion is to appreciate

Thanks for your kind words! I can't truthfully call myself a palaeontology expert, but I do try to stay informed.

Also, fantastic review on the new Safari Stegosaurus, your photos are top notch and your reviews are very enjoyable of reading.You should think about doing some more 

Thanks again! It seems every time one of my reviews is published, I soon find something I don't like about my photos or writing  But, I definitely plan on writing more of them!

[Concavenator]

The CollectA Carnotaurus is really a beauty.I think it is indeed the best take on the species, and that's saying a lot.Carnotaurus is a genus that, for some reason, has very fine models in the market.CollectA, Carnegie, Safari, Battat, Papo... I can name more good Carnotaurus models than Tyrannosaurus' , frankly  .

I think this year CollectA has some real gems, I think it's their most interesting year since 2015

Yes, your reviews are perfect in the photograph department!Looking forward to more! 

[Bokisaurus]

Nice to see some new photos of the collection.