The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, exclusively available at the LEGO Store, is a breathtaking and ambitious project. Upon first glance, you're struck by its impressive scale; this model is crafted at a 1:12 scale of an actual T-Rex.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
Priced at $249.99, this set invites closer inspection, revealing the meticulous detail that sets it apart. The ribs are constructed at varying lengths, forming a realistic rib "cage," while dark bricks create shadows that enhance the contrast of the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its complex appearance, the assembly is surprisingly straightforward, which only adds to the awe of its detailed design.
We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex
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My fascination with dinosaurs started in childhood, especially during visits to the American Museum of Natural History where the towering T-Rex skeleton always captured my imagination. Later, I was equally captivated by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," a sci-fi tale about time travel. The story vividly describes the awe-inspiring presence of 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."
Like many from my generation, I grew up with the image of the T-Rex standing upright, tail dragging:
Source: American Museum of Natural History
However, scientific understanding has evolved, revealing that the T-Rex did not stand upright but rather with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail for balance:
Source: Field Museum
The photo above showcases "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton at 90%. Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990, it significantly altered our understanding of the T-Rex. Notably, the small bones in the T-Rex's belly, known as gastralia, were initially omitted from public displays due to their unknown function. We now understand they supported the dinosaur's breathing.
Source: Universal Pictures
The T-Rex depicted in the 1993 film Jurassic Park reflects the outdated view of a lean, upright dinosaur. However, thanks to discoveries like the gastralia, we now know the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons with a significant belly.
A life-sized model based on Sue's skeleton provides our most accurate depiction of the T-Rex:
Source: Blue Rhino Studio
This model presents a chubbier, more endearing image of the T-Rex.
Reflecting these scientific insights, the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set adopts a more accurate horizontal posture. Although it does not include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" form, distinct from the lean predator often portrayed in fiction. The arms are positioned forward, consistent with the latest displays of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.
The set contains 25 sealed plastic bags. You begin by assembling the black stand, followed by the T-Rex's backbone, which connects to vertical supports. The rest of the model, including the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and head, are then added. While the legs and torso are fixed, the arms, head, and tail are adjustable.
At nearly three-and-a-half feet in length, this model requires ample space. It demands a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table to truly showcase its grandeur.
The set is part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, with the final bag containing minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, posed in front of the fossil on a stand attachment. The accompanying placard bears the Jurassic Park logo.
However, the franchise tie-in feels somewhat forced. The set is officially linked to Jurassic World, yet the minifigures are from the first Jurassic Park movie. The set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' lacks any movie reference, and the instructions even offer an option to remove the minifigures and placard entirely, highlighting the T-Rex's ability to stand alone.
In reality, the T-Rex's impressive size, scope, and price make it a standalone masterpiece, much like the LEGO Titanic set. It doesn't rely on minifigure tie-ins to captivate; its magnificence speaks for itself.
The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, is priced at $269.99 and consists of 3011 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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