Protoceratops (Deluxe by CollectA)

Review and photographs by Loon, edited by Suspsy.

Protoceratops figures tend not to be very large, most likely to better communicate the real animal’s small size. Breaking with tradition, CollectA has decided to create this figure in 1/6 scale, to go along with their Deluxe Velociraptor.

As many have pointed out, this figure is quite small for 1/6 scale, measuring 9.5 inches (24 cm) long, making it closer to 1/9 or 1/10 scale. So, it won’t scale well as an adult with either the CollectA or the Beasts of the Mesozoic Velociraptor, but, it could pass as a younger individual. 

The larger scale does allow for some pretty good detail, the kind you wouldn’t get in a mini-figure. For example, the pose is very unique. With its head looking up and the tail held high, it appears this Protoceratops is acting defensively, most likely fending off CollectA’s aforementioned dromaeosaur.

The head is unmistakably that of a Protoceratops, matching Scott Hartman’s skeletal drawing almost perfectly. However, I feel it seems a little small in comparison to the body. Strangely, this figure has an articulated jaw, which I usually don’t mind, but this one just breaks up the head. No matter if it’s open or closed, there’s a very visible and unattractive seam on the upper jaw. At least this shows off the very nice details inside the mouth, including the animal’s tiny teeth.

The body is very well detailed, although, like many dinosaur figures, the scales do look a bit too large. These scales are broken up by even larger tuberculate scales, known from skin impressions of other ceratopsians. Like most of CollectA’s ceratopsian figures, the Protoceratops features a row of “quills” along the tail. This detail is speculative, of course, as these integumentary structures are so far only known from Psittacosaurus.

Speaking of Psittacosaurus, this Protoceratops is countershaded with a light peach brown covering most of the figure and cream coloring on the underside. The same cream is used for the tail integument, but it bleeds a little onto the tail itself, which looks odd. Dark brown markings are found all over the figure, including the lower limbs. Also, the whole figure is given a nice wash, which helps to bring out the scales.

This is a very good figure, accurate and very well-detailed. Unfortunately, the size might be a turn off for some, as it may be too big for many people’s collection or too small for people who wanted a 1/6 scale Protoceratops. Still, I’d recommend it if you really love this animal or just ceratopsians in general, as it’s the only decent version of this species available from the big companies.