Looking for scientifically accurate models.

[OpalornisHuali]

Hello, I am new to this forum. I am looking to start an animal figure collection, and I was wondering if anyone can recommend the most scientifically accurate prehistoric animal figures available. It is somewhat difficult to find accurate dinosaurs/pterosaurs/etc. among all the shrink wrapping and broken wrists. I know there are multiple companies that make these figures, is there any one that makes the most accurate models? Any specific figures of any genus/species you can recommend? Thank you.

[RobinGoodfellow]

Every single DTF Member here has his/her personal idea about what "accurate" means.
We're talking about long gone creatures.
So it's a complex, hard discussion....
Probably the most scientifically accurate models aren't in the toy range (PVC) but in the kit and resin range.
That's my personal idea.

[OpalornisHuali]

Every single DTF Member here has his/her personal idea about what "accurate" means.
We're talking about long gone creatures.
So it's a complex, hard discussion....
Probably the most scientifically accurate models aren't in the toy range (PVC) but in the kit and resin range.
That's my personal idea.

I mean, accurate to the most recent scientific evidence about the anatomy. For instance, no shrink wrapping (at least not noticeably), no pronated hands, no dragging tail, no fully scaly bodies on feathered dinosaurs like dromaeosaurs etc. Maybe it does not have to be 100% accurate, but at least 90%.

I don't really think "scientifically accurate" is a matter of personal opinion...

It is this kind of thing I want to avoid. At least, not for a main collection (some are worth having just for being so bad).
https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.growingtreetoys.com%2Fimg%2Fcache%2Fproduct%2F55023__.jpg&f=1

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pngall.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FDinosaur-Transparent.png&f=1

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2Fimages%2Fi%2F181698131704-0-1%2Fs-l1000.jpg&f=1

[Shonisaurus]

Every single DTF Member here has his/her personal idea about what "accurate" means.
We're talking about long gone creatures.
So it's a complex, hard discussion....
Probably the most scientifically accurate models aren't in the toy range (PVC) but in the kit and resin range.
That's my personal idea.

I totally agree with you the most accurate models are those of resins or made of noble materials. These are those that are intended for one hundred percent collectors. 

The PVC models, although I collect them obviously, are intended for children at most seven or eight years old. That does not mean they are fabulous to me. 

[OpalornisHuali]

What are some resin models you can recommend? From what I have seen a lot of them require painting, and I am not sure I am comfortable with doing that as I might just make it look ugly.


I have seen some PVC models that are pretty good.  I just want something that doesn't look terrible, nothing Jurassic Park-esque. Something with flesh and proportions that are accurate enough.

I like this Parasaurolophus:
https://www.safariltd.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/3/0/306029-parasaurolophus.jpg

And, what is the Pterosaur toy at the top of the page? It's rather cute. I like the sculpted eyes.

[MLMjp]

One than everybody will agree on is that one of the most scientifically accurate figure is the Safari Velociraptor, the best rendition of Velociraptor so far:



So I recommend it to you

[OpalornisHuali]

One than everybody will agree on is that one of the most scientifically accurate figure is the Safari Velociraptor, the best rendition of Velociraptor so far:



So I recommend it to you

Thank you, it looks great, I like the colouring, it's almost like a rooster. I noticed newer Safari LTD figures tend to be good.

[Shonisaurus]

Usually figures of Safari and Collecta (the latter has been improving) have quite good figures from a paleontological point of view.

A good figure is the Collecta 2017 styracosaurus 

[Sim]

Welcome to the forum, OpalornisHuali

I think there are prehistoric animal figures with a high level of accuracy among the plastic toy figures.  One thing I've found problematic though, is that being toys aimed primarily at children they can sometimes have sloppy factory paint.  Since there's a lot of figures and genera/species out there, and since some of us on this forum know more about some types of prehistoric animals than others, perhaps you might find it helpful to specify genera/species/groups you're particularly interested in.  Giving a comprehensive reply is much easier when dealing with a subject that isn't enormous.

And, what is the Pterosaur toy at the top of the page? It's rather cute. I like the sculpted eyes.

It's the CollectA Dimorphodon.

[Jose S.M.]

Hi and welcome to the forum! it's the right place to ask yoiu question, you will get a lot of opinions to consider! I'm personally a fan of Safari LTD line, so I recommend those to you, the new figures of this year are great. Of course those are in the  toy category so, like Sim said, there's painting mistakes here and there, if you can overlook that, Safaris are easy to find (online) and accesible. Collecta is another great brand of toy, currently a little harder to find but online stores like dejankins.com have them. In terms of accuracy this are the most accurate ones that are relatively easy to get. Papo toys are at really high level in detail, but lack in accuracy generally, but they are improving fast (no broken wrist for their new theropod sculpts  ). There are other brands that are accurate but not so avaiblable or are more close to high end models and more expensive.

[RobinGoodfellow]

What are some resin models you can recommend? From what I have seen a lot of them require painting, and I am not sure I am comfortable with doing that as I might just make it look ugly.


I have seen some PVC models that are pretty good.  I just want something that doesn't look terrible, nothing Jurassic Park-esque. Something with flesh and proportions that are accurate enough.

I like this Parasaurolophus:
https://www.safariltd.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/3/0/306029-parasaurolophus.jpg

And, what is the Pterosaur toy at the top of the page? It's rather cute. I like the sculpted eyes.

My collection is about 1100 figures.
You can freely scroll on it searching for what you like the most.
Just click on picture to see the brand.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130140542@N03/albums/72157650140713189

[stargatedalek]

Both of the "supreme" CollectA pterosaurs are must haves, Dimorphodon and Guidraco. I wouldn't call them perfect, the outlines of the skulls internal openings are faintly visible which I'm generally against, but they're virtually flawless as far as models in their price range go. They'll only set you back about $30 each before shipping.

And if you're already planning on ordering from a store stocking CollectA, either of the recent Deinocheirus, the deluxe Therizinosaurus, the Tyrannosaurus (and/or it's corpse), the marine miniature set, and the ivory billed woodpecker are all also stand out figures.

[OpalornisHuali]

Thank you all, I will look into your suggestions! And keep them coming ^^
I don't mind some minor painting errors, I don't expect too much in that regard.

That CollectA Dimorphodon is definitely on my want list. I think I've fallen in love!

[Shonisaurus]

Welcome to the forum OpalornisHuali. For me, the dimorphodon of Collecta is a great figure that surpasses its homologous guidraco.

In general in the toy market is one of the best figures this year and although it has some scientific imprecision from my point of view is a recommended figure. Keep in mind that in the toy market always the figures of prehistoric animals and dinosaurs in general will suffer from some imperfection, but that does not mean that they are magnificent.

I like 100 percent scientific figures but I also really like dinosaur figures that are not perfect from a paleontological point of view, provided the figures are modeled or I just like them enough. To give you more reference I collect for example the figures of Recur dinosaurs intended for small children and I know they have imperfections but if I like them ... what importance do they have?

That I do recommend you also apart from Safari and Collecta as companies dedicated to making scientific dinosaurs to the company of Favorite whose figures are also very good and the emerging company PNSO of China make a very well finished figures of dinosaurs. It is also very famous PNSO triceratops made with PVC material is one of the best figures of triceratops (but best made in the market of plastic figures and toy) made to date.

Although I am a paleonerd I do not dislike any well-modeled dinosaur figure. I also recommend the figure that is going to come out amargasaurus PNSO and you buy it to Acro-man from the company Tao Bao. Favorite I recommend you buy your figures to Brett who is also a member of the forum and whose figures will come out much cheaper than those bought on eBay or Amazon to a private.

On the other hand a figure from the paleontological point well done is the spinosaurus swimmer and spinosaurus Deluxe of the brand Collecta and the spinosaurus of the Favorite brand to put other examples.

[OpalornisHuali]

Thank you Shonisaurus, I was actually going to ask about good up to date Spinosaurus figures! I actually thought that dinosaur looked a little awkward before, but now I think he looks elegant and beautiful as a quadrupedal crocodile-mimic, and they one of my favourite dinosaurs now.
Does anyone have any recommendations for Plesiosaurs also?

And what about a feathered (quilled) triceratops or other ceratposid? I know that it isn't 100% certain they even had quills, but it is possible and I wonder if any toy has been modeled after that. Otherwise, what is a good accurate ceratopsid figure even with no feathers?

[Jose S.M.]

All recent collecta ceratosians have a row of quills along their backs, and the Safari Ltd ceratopsians are great but don't have quills. PNSO Triceratops are great and the Papo are very detailed but a little inaccurate. The new CollectA Styracosaurus is great and has quills. My personal favorites are the Safari ones, specially Einiosaurus and Nasutoceratops.

[paintingdinos]

Seconding the CollectA Deluxe Styracosaurus and the PNSO Triceratops (both the original and "Doyle"). All of them are very nice figures!

I'm new to PNSO, but I'm completely sold- picked up the Shantungosaurus and (aside from the iffy paint job) its now one of my favorite figures. Hoping to buy the original trike soon!

[OpalornisHuali]

Thanks again, is this the Styracosaurus model you speak of? I like it, it is so beautifully detailed and I love the feathers!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CollectA-Styracosaurus-1-40-Deluxe-2017-dinosaur-model-88777-BNWT-/292137845342?clk_rvr_id=1246456648239&rmvSB=true

How about a dimetrodon? There have been recent reconstructions showing it more mammalian, has this been represented in toy form?
https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fimg14.deviantart.net%2F566c%2Fi%2F2015%2F189%2Fd%2Ff%2Fdimetrodon__smallest_and_largest_by_plastospleen-d90f1h2.jpg&f=1

[Jose S.M.]

Yeah, that's the Styracosaurus, I think is the best one that's currently in the market.

[Faelrin]

I'd like to know if there is any accurate Dimetrodon figures out there too, like similar to Scott Hartman's recent skeletal. I doubt there is though. Hopefully Safari or CollectA will do one eventually. Personally I've been holding off getting any of the ones below, because I'm still waiting to see if they'll do one. If not I'll probably just go with the Papo.

Of the figures I'm aware of, the Papo Dimetrodon is pretty accurate, but it is missing the fifth toes on the feet. The "hands" have the right number of digits though. I think the Carnegie Dimetrodon is another decent option. The Recur Dimetrodon is in a more "mammalian" pose, but the head is wrong. The Bullyland Dimetrodon is also in a more upright pose (though with the sprawling legs), and the head is also off.

Also since this is relevant to this discussion, I might as well ask. I went to a Micheal's the other day, and they carried the Safari Apatosaurus. It looked pretty accurate to me, but I'm wondering if it (still) is?