The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious project that immediately captivates with its impressive size. This set is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, meticulously crafted to bring the prehistoric giant to life in your home.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
Priced at $249.99, this set is a treasure for enthusiasts. Upon closer inspection, the level of detail is remarkable: the ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," and the use of dark-colored bricks creates shadows that enhance the contrast of the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which only adds to its allure.
We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex
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As someone who adored dinosaurs from a young age, the sight of a T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History always left me in awe. The fascination with these creatures was further fueled by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," where he vividly describes the T-Rex:
"It came on great oiled, resilient, striding legs. It towered thirty feet above half of the trees, a great evil god, folding its delicate watchmaker's claws close to its oily reptilian chest. Each lower leg was a piston, a thousand pounds of white bone, sunk in thick ropes of muscle, sheathed over in a gleam of pebbled skin like the mail of a terrible warrior."
For many of us, the image of the T-Rex was that of an upright, tail-dragging behemoth:
Source: American Museum of Natural History
However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex's posture was more horizontal, with its spine parallel to the ground and its tail acting as a counterbalance:
Source: Field Museum
This photo is of "Sue," the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found, at 90% completeness. Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990, it reshaped our understanding of the T-Rex. The tiny bones in the belly area, known as gastralia, were initially omitted from displays due to uncertainty about their placement. Today, we recognize that they supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to its bulk.
Source: Universal Pictures
The T-Rex from the 1993 film Jurassic Park reflects an earlier, outdated view. While more horizontally positioned, it lacks the now-understood heft of the T-Rex, which, thanks to the gastralia, is estimated to weigh nine to ten tons rather than the previously thought five to seven tons.
The most current and accurate depiction of a T-Rex, modeled after Sue's bones, showcases a chubbier, more realistic figure:
Source: Blue Rhino Studio
The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this updated scientific understanding with its horizontal positioning. While it doesn't include the gastralia, the rib placement suggests a "barrel-chested" appearance, deviating from the lean predator often seen in media. The arms are positioned forward, mirroring the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.
The set, comprising 25 sealed plastic bags, begins with constructing the black stand. You then build the T-Rex's backbone, attaching it to vertical supports, followed by the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable.
Stretching nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model demands a spacious display area. A wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table is ideal to showcase its grandeur.
The set is part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, including two minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, positioned in front of the fossil on a stand attachment. However, the set's name and the option to remove the minifigure display suggest a disconnect from the franchise, emphasizing the model's standalone appeal.
The inclusion of the Jurassic Park branding feels somewhat forced, especially since the set's magnificence stands on its own, much like the LEGO Titanic set. This T-Rex model, Set #10335, comprising 3011 pieces, is a testament to LEGO's ability to create awe-inspiring, standalone pieces that transcend mere movie memorabilia.
LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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