Review and photos by Patrick Bate (Pixelboy), edited by Plesiosauria.
Ah, Japan. A culture that seems to be equal parts tradition and progress. Fortuitously, when it comes to dinosaurs, progress seems to be their strong suit. If you’re looking for accurate, up-to-date dinosaur figures, Japanese companies like Kaiyodo, Kabaya, TakaraTomy, and Kinto/Favorite are often your best bet; and this Tyrannosaurus maquette from the 2012 Tokyo Dinosaur Kingdom Expo is no exception.
Type: Desktop Model
Review: Stegosaurus (Sideshow)
4.5 (11 votes)
Sideshow’s rendition of the mighty Stegosaurus was released in summer of 2012. At 16″ high and 26″ long, the term “mighty” becomes quite appropriate. While previous models like the Apatosaurus may have been technically greater in length, there is a great visual difference between an animal with a long, slender tail, and one that is bolstered by huge plates along the entire body.
Review: Tyrannosaurus rex (Version 2 by Fauna Casts)
4.6 (7 votes)
Review and Photos by Patrick Bate (Pixelboy). Edited by Plesiosauria.
I’ll admit, I’m a picky collector. I lack the completionist drive to amass a proper collection, and only pick out pieces that really stand out to me as exceptional (and, for my wallet’s sake, affordable). Fortunately for me (and really, for everyone,) there’s Malcolm Mlodoch’s Fauna Casts collection – a collaboration between an experienced paleo-sculptor of nearly thirty years and the community of The Dinosaur Toy Forum.
I’ll admit, I’m a picky collector. I lack the completionist drive to amass a proper collection, and only pick out pieces that really stand out to me as exceptional (and, for my wallet’s sake, affordable). Fortunately for me (and really, for everyone,) there’s Malcolm Mlodoch’s Fauna Casts collection – a collaboration between an experienced paleo-sculptor of nearly thirty years and the community of The Dinosaur Toy Forum.
Review: Tyrannosaurus (Desktop model by Favorite Co. Ltd.)
4.8 (18 votes)
Back in 2010, Favorite released a re-sculpt of the Tyrannosaurus from their resin ‘Desktop’ range, alongside Triceratops and Allosaurus. Once again, it is a huge improvement over its predecessor anatomically but is likely to strongly divide tastes.
Just as with the Allosaurus, a large, overhanging ‘lip’ covers all of the teeth in the upper jaw, with only the very tips visible on close inspection.
Review: Allosaurus Skeleton Model (Dinostoreus)
4.8 (4 votes)
If you’re a regular reader of Prehistoric Times magazine, you’ve probably noticed the prime ad space that always seems to be occupied by Dinostoreus. This is a good thing, though. In addition to supporting such a great publication, Dinostoreus really embodies the mature aesthetic and academic priority of the seasoned dinosaur enthusiast.
Review: Allosaurus on Carcass (Fauna Casts)
4.8 (5 votes)
There is much to be said of the distinction between toy and model. For some, it represents a leap from the child’s plaything to the adult collectible. Others may note the significant difference in price range. Of course, getting to see an artist’s uncompromising vision of a prehistoric world is exciting as well, and few mass produced pieces tend to deliver such a vision.
Review: Nodosaurid (Furkan)
Review: Apatosaurus (Sideshow Dinosauria)
4.5 (8 votes)
Review by Dan, Photos by Robban, Neehar, Blade-of-the-Moon, and Jeremy K.
Sideshow offered a first glimpse of the Apatosaurus maquette in September 2010. No fewer than eleven months later, it has finally been released. It is the second, and final Dinosauria statue to be offered in 2011.
Sideshow offered a first glimpse of the Apatosaurus maquette in September 2010. No fewer than eleven months later, it has finally been released. It is the second, and final Dinosauria statue to be offered in 2011.
Review: Amargasaurus (Desktop model by Favorite Co. Ltd.)
3.4 (8 votes)
Most sauropods tend to more or less look similar; big body, long neck long tail. Rarely will a sauropod possess any distinguishing characteristics beyond those three things. Then there is Amargasaurus. This dinosaur was a smaller (relatively speaking) sauropod from the early Cretaceous in what is now Argentina.
Review: Spinosaurus Hunting (Desktop Model by Dinostoreus)
4.8 (4 votes)
In addition to their primary line of single-character maquettes, Dinostoreus produces a number of diorama-style pieces which portray prehistoric animals in their natural environment. One that undoubtedly draws attention is this model, featuring the beloved Spinosaurus snatching a snack from churning Cretaceous waters.
At 13 inches in length, this is a pretty generously sized model, falling roughly within the 1:40 range to make it compatible with the Carnegie Spinosaurus, or Papo if you’re not a stickler for accuracy.
Review: Tupuxuara (Sideshow Dinosauria)
5 (4 votes)
Review by Dan, Photos by Jeremy
After a slight delay, Sideshow has finally released their first Dinosauria statue of 2011. They have elected to market the statue under the name “Tupuxuara – Pterodactyl,” likely to foster recognition among mainstream demographics. Fortunately, the Tupuxuara is indeed a pterodactyloid, a term that would furrow fewer brows than a separate suborder such as “rhamphorhynchoidea.” Tupuxuara is also considered a member of the popular Tapejarid family, strongly associated with elaborate cranial crests.
After a slight delay, Sideshow has finally released their first Dinosauria statue of 2011. They have elected to market the statue under the name “Tupuxuara – Pterodactyl,” likely to foster recognition among mainstream demographics. Fortunately, the Tupuxuara is indeed a pterodactyloid, a term that would furrow fewer brows than a separate suborder such as “rhamphorhynchoidea.” Tupuxuara is also considered a member of the popular Tapejarid family, strongly associated with elaborate cranial crests.
Review: T.rex Fight Over Carcass Diorama (Dinostoreus)
5 (8 votes)
Despite a superficially similar product line, Dinostoreus of the United States manages to distinguish itself from its former sister company, Favorite of Japan, with a few exclusive pieces. This diorama is one such piece. Constructed in fragile polyresin and just shy of five inches at its highest peak, this scene offers a glimpse of every dino-nut’s fantasy.