The Invicta line of prehistoric models is an interesting one. Spanning the years between the early 1970’s and early 1990’s it is a company that was producing dinosaur figures right on the cusp of the “Dinosaur Renaissance”. As a result we have some models from the company that are downright retro in appearance, along with some that in terms of accuracy stand up reasonably well, even today. None of the models from their line illustrate this phenomenon better than their Iguanodon when pitted against their Muttaburrasaurus. The Invicta Iguanodon was produced in 1980 and clearly shows its age. The Muttaburasaurus (a similar genus from Australia) was produced in 1989 and is still one of the better mass produced models representing the Iguanodontian family, nearly 30 years later. None of this is meant to blast the Iguanodon model. On the contrary, it’s still a beautiful figure and is now finally getting its due on the blog.
Master paleo-artist Zdenek Burian’s depiction of Iguanodon was the go to standard for Iguanodon depictions for many years. As such, the Invicta model borrows heavily from his work and like his work is laden with nostalgia and retro appeal. [EDIT: This Iguanodon appears to have been inspired by Neave Parker’s work, not Burian].
Unarguably reptilian in appearance with its thick heavy tail laid against the ground the model looks very much like the plodding beasts of old. This Iguanodon wasn’t going anywhere fast with short stocky legs and wrinkled saggy skin hanging all about. The dewlap on the throat and osteoderms along the back only accentuate the reptilian look of this figure. The only hint of the renaissance to come on this model is the addition of cheeks, something Burian’s depiction and most others at the time did not have.
Reviewing the accuracy of this model would be futile and unnecessary. It’s easy to see that this model represents a very outdated albeit classic depiction of Iguanodon. Collectors don’t collect the Invicta line for their accuracy anyway, though many of them were and are still somewhat passable in that department. In terms of quality and detail work it compares well with the rest of the line, it’s an exceptionally well made model for the time.
Muscles bulge along the tail and down the legs. The head is particularly well done and complete with nostrils, ear openings and eyes set under a furrowed brow that makes this Iguanodon look rather serious and perhaps even a bit wise and aged. The original release of the model is monochrome yellow in color while the painted version is green with a white throat and darker green stripes down the flanks. In my opinion the monochrome version looks far better and less toy-like, and I personally don’t mind the yellow color either.
Older generations of dinosaur collectors will agree that this is a model worth acquiring. In fact, collecting the entire Invicta line almost seems a rite of passage among seasoned hobbyists. Younger collectors might not see the appeal what with all the highly detailed and accurate models currently being produced but this and all of the older toy lines need to be taken in context. The Invicta line of prehistoric animals was the first of its kind. The first to adhere to a particular scale, pay reasonable attention to accuracy and among the first museum lines of figures.
The Invicta Iguanodon represents the way things were, and how much they’ve changed over a relatively short period of time. In addition to all that it’s just a nice looking retro piece with a lot of character. As with the rest of the Invicta line this model is out of production and hard to find. Luckily it’s not one of the more expensive or rarer models in the line so a bit of patience on eBay should land you one for a reasonable price. Happy hunting!
Available from Ebay.com here.
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Posture is actually based on an illustration by Neave Parker and not Zdenek Burian…. if I may… Great review nonetheless…. grew up playing with invicta… one of my favorite line.
Thanks for the information, I’ll edit the review accordingly. So many of those old illustrations borrowed heavily from each other, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact reference.
Indeed….and regarding the Invicta figures, according to Mr Don Glut, sort of a Godfather to us all, dinosaurs collectors, most of the early ones have been sculpted by or under the supervision of Arthur George Hayward, who was, at the time, an artist employed by the British Museum of Natural History as head of its Model Making and Taxidermy-Exhibition Department.
His Diplodocus and Apatosaurus sculptures were based on paintings by Zdenek Burian, reproduced in J. Augusta’s book “Prehistoric Animals.”
And his Iguanodon and Scelidosaurus sculptures were based on paintings by Neave Parker, reproduced in black & white postcards sold at the British Museum gift shop at the time.
Another interesting fact… I’ve read comments by people saying that some of the Invicta figures like the Triceratops or Pteranodon reminded them of O’Brien’s King Kong or Harryhausen OM year B.C and Gwangi… well, it appears that Mr Hayward also designed and sculpted (but was uncredited for his work) many of the creatures animated by Ray Harryhausen in the motion pictures, One Million Years B.C. and Valley of Gwangi.
That’s exactly why I love the Invicta line so much, because of the stop-motion animation era feel the figures have to them, which is what got me into dinosaurs when I was a kid, and that’s also why, contrary to many current figure lines, they will never be rendered out of style although they are (mostly) obsolete by today’s standards.
Splendid review. The pose is the same as the type specimen I. bernissartensis found by Louis Dollo in Belgium in 1825. The last time I visited the Royal Museum the mount had not yet changed.
Found one by accident tonight at value village in a bag of dinasours for a buck 🙂
I got this model and all the rest when I visited the London Museum of Natural History. Great line. Too bad they no longer made them. These models are very detailed and precisely scaled to each other.
I just need to comment b/c this along with the Invicta Triceratops and Stego were my first dinosaur replica figures ever. I got them I think back in the later 80’s from a Science educational toy catalog. Ive had many dino replicas since then and sold off many as well but I’ll never part with these, they were really special. And they were really well made for being retro models.
A great review and a lovely figure!
Ratify the above excellent reviews. Moreover the Iguanodon as mentioned above is made according to the old way. I recommend especially the new generation of collectors, as well as the entire collection of Invicta (an epic and legendary company).
Love the figure and the review!