The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, exclusively available at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that commands attention from the moment you see it. At a 1:12 scale, this model replicates the sheer size of a real T-Rex, immediately capturing your awe.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
$249.99 at LEGO Store
Upon closer inspection, the set's detail is mesmerizing. The ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks casts shadows that enhance the contrast against the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly straightforward to assemble, adding to its impressive nature.
We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex
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Growing up fascinated by dinosaurs, I recall being awestruck by the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History. This experience was echoed years later when I read Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," a sci-fi short story about time travel that vividly captured the awe of encountering such a colossal creature:
"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 standing upright with its tail dragging was ingrained in our minds:
Source: American Museum of Natural History
However, scientific research later revealed that the T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground and its tail acting as a counterbalance to its head:
Source: Field Museum
The above photo is of "Sue," the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered, at 90% completeness. Its discovery by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. The presence of gastralia—tiny bones that support the T-Rex's belly and breathing—was initially unknown but later integrated into our understanding.
Source: Universal Pictures
The T-Rex from the 1993 film Jurassic Park reflects the outdated view of dinosaurs, though it does show a more accurate horizontal posture. However, it misses the fuller body that the gastralia suggest, indicating that the T-Rex weighed between nine to ten tons, rather than the previously estimated five to seven tons.
Our most current and accurate depiction of a T-Rex, based on Sue's bones, showcases a more robust and endearing creature:
Source: Blue Rhino Studio
The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set aligns with these recent scientific findings, presenting the T-Rex in a horizontal position. While it does not include the gastralia, the set's rib design suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, differing from the lean depiction in popular culture. The model's arms are positioned forward, in line with the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.
The set comprises 25 sealed plastic bags. You start by building the black stand, then proceed to the T-Rex's backbone, which attaches to vertical supports. The rest of the model, including the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and head, follows. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.
At nearly three-and-a-half feet long from tip to tail, this model is a significant piece that will dominate any space it occupies. A wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table is ideal, rather than a cramped shelf. Ensure the location you choose honors the set's grandeur.
This set is part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, hence the inclusion of minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park logo placard. However, the franchise tie-in feels somewhat forced. The set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' lacks any movie reference, and LEGO even provides an option in the instruction booklet to remove the minifigures and placard, allowing the skeleton to stand alone.
This feature underscores the set's appeal beyond mere movie memorabilia. Much like the LEGO Titanic build, the T-Rex set's grandeur and detail make it a standout piece on its own merit. Its size, scope, and price ensure it sells itself without needing brand synergy.
LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and includes 3011 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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