Brachiosaurus (unpainted version) (Invicta)

Review and photos by Marc Vincent aka Horridus

For many collectors of plastic dinosaur merchandise Invicta’s green behemoth has long been a firm favourite, often taking pride of place among their sauropod assemblages. It remains an impressive and imposing figure well worth seeking out, as much as time has detracted from its scientific accuracy. (It should probably be also referred to as Giraffatitan, but we’ll let that slide for this review…)

Dating from 1984, this Brachiosaurus is less archaic in appearance than Invicta’s older models of Diplodocus and Apatosaurus with their dragging tails, and has managed to stand the test of time better than their 1988 Mamenchisaurus, with its implausibly erect neck. Nevertheless, it has its flaws by modern standards. The feet are unquestionably incorrect and the neck might just be a little too graceful and upright, although it is still far superior to the later Carnegie Collection Brachiosaurus in this respect. Also, on most modern restorations the nostrils are not placed as high on the skull, and the short mouth seems to indicate that this Brachiosaurus has been given cheeks!

Of course, for a figure this old, and one that has weathered so well, this is nitpicking. In its time it was the best Brachiosaurus by a country mile, and even now only the new Wild Safari model seems to have any chance of surpassing it. It is posed very convincingly – not rearing up but striding calmly and purposefully, its neck curved so that its excellently rendered eyes are imperiously surveying the landscape below it. Another positive aspect is the tail, which as with many of the more recent Invictas is held out rigidly straight behind the animal, and is of course clear of the ground. The detailed skin, muscle tone and even veins help convey a massive, powerful creature. This Brachiosaurus may be 1:45 scale (approximately), but it succeeds impressively in portraying an animal that was unimaginably huge.

In spite of its aforementioned inaccuracies, I also love the head of this figure. Its drooping eyelids and down-turned, frowning mouth give it the superior air of an old English gent, with its nasal crest standing in for the bowler hat. It gives the figure real charm.

This model, although sadly long since discontinued, is still frequently available on eBay UK and eBay US at very reasonable prices, and is a must for any collection.

Indricotherium (Malcolm Mlodoch for Fauna Casts)

I am quite pleased to be able to finally share pics of this monster sculpture done by my good friend Malcolm Mlodoch. Those addicted to the prehistoric mammals will get a huge (in every sense) fix with this guy. When it comes to Cenozoic fauna, I am even more selective than with dinos, so you may trust me when I tell you that this is a high quality product. I was blown away when I first saw the pics of the finished product, but I couldn’t believe my eyes when I held it in my hands for the first time, as it exceeded my expectations completely.

I am surprised that there are not many figures of this animal, it’s very distinctive (nothing else than the biggest terrestrial mammal: some specimens are 5.5 mts tall and 8 mts long). These creatures were actually related to rhinos (that explains Malcolm’s choice of colour) although they had no head ornamentation. They lived from the Eocene to the Oligocene in a span of almost 15 million years, grazing peacefully without many natural foes.  Their weight is still a matter of speculation, but it does appear that previous numbers were exaggerations: while they may not have weighed 30 tons, they could have reached the 15 tons mark. In any case, it appears that these critters were more agile than we once thought, I read that some of their bones were actually hollow. They are fairly popular and had had their share of TV guest appearances. The Indricotherium / Baluchitherium is a classic animal that experienced a surge of attention back in the 60’s.

The most remarkable figures I can think of right now are the very cool Nabisco miniature version and the execrable Procon ‘Indricotherium’, a slightly smaller version that  looks like a cross between a moose and a cartoonish camel. There’s also a Starlux version (it’s not half bad if you don’t mind the primitive look of that company) and the Paleocraft resin kit. Of all the versions I have mentioned, in my opinion only the Paleocraft would be a worthy contester, but even then I would have to say that the Fauna Casts Indri wins because it’s so much more affordable.

This triumphant version, reminiscent of  Charles R. Knight’s drawing, is not static at all. A subtly curved torse and the raised paw provide it with a sense of fluidity. The paintjob is also one of my favorites: the grey drybrushing blends nicely with the brownish wash(es).  I also liked the way the muzzle was done: the effect of a simple wash makes it look almost wet. As for the structure itself, Malcolm sculpted a very fine set of large muscles,  including a set of thick extremities, quite appropiate for this huge animal. Although it’s very large (around 25 cm long, I suspect only slightly bigger than the 1:40 premise), it’s rather light.

I had seen other members express their joy upon receiving this piece and now I know why is that. I look forward to seeing more big mammals made by dinonikes.

You can visit Malcolm’s subforum here.

Tyrannosaurus rex (Papo)

Review by megaraptor1000, photos by dinotoyforum

Papo has produced some stunning, if inaccurate, toys in their short time in the model dinosaur industry. Today I will be reviewing one of their larger pieces, the Tyrannosaurus rex. I apologize in advance to Jurassic Park worshipers for bashing their little Rex, I don’t hate him, I am just a bit critical.

No information is needed on the dinosaur itself. It’s Tyrannosaurus rex! The villain from the first two Jurassic Park movies, and there lies the inspiration for this toy. As most dinosaur affiliates would recognize, it is clearly based on the Jurassic Park 3 Rex which was unceremoniously killed off in one of the early scenes of the movie. The Papo T. rex is an almost exact replica of the Jurassic Park dinosaur, even down to the overlarge feet, which aren’t necessary anyway because the figure is in the dreaded ‘tripod’ pose. Like all Papos, it has “Papo”, the manufacturing date (2005), Made In China, and CE stampted on it somewhere (in this one on the inside of the right thigh). The Papo ‘Rex’ fits in with most of the other Papos in that it is not to scale.

A close-up of the creature’s head show the bulbous bases of the lower jaw and the pyramidal ‘crests’ above the eyes, now considered by some experts to have actually existed. In my opinion, and I am no expert on this sort of thing, the head seems just a bit short to me. Another inaccuracy is the arms. They are too long and the palms face the chest. In a real Tyrannosaurus, it would have had to break it’s arms in at least three different places to get them like that.

Now we move onto the tail. There is no physical way a tyrannosaur could even contemplate bending it’s tail that far around. The tail is also too short, but not so short to be really annoying. My pet hate on this figure is the overlarge feet. They would be OK if they were supporting the body and it was horizontal, but that would be a heresy in an all-JP figure. And even though the movie version had them, they weren’t to this extent.

Now for the positives (is that a ‘hallelujah’ I can hear in the background from Jurassic Park toy aficionados?). The skin is wonderfully textured; there are nice wrinkles around the neck. The hind limbs and pelvic region exude power, the teeth are individually sculpted, and it even has the trace of an ear-hole. But, best of all, it is in the ever-famous ‘victory roar’ pose from the first Jurassic Park movie (even though it is the JP3 Tyrannosaur). All in all, and inaccuracies aside, this is a great and affordable ((currently $18.95 US at Amazon.com) replica that is recommended to anyone who loves Jurassic Park, Tyrannosaurus, or just dinosaurs in general.

Thanks to fellow dinosaur toy forum members kevin, horridus, sid and meso-cenozoic for helping me with some of the information.

Available from Amazon.com (here)

Paleoart from the Fauna Casts Project!

For all the readers that haven’t entered the forum, I am very proud to announce on this blog the official line of the Dinosaur Toy Forum: the Fauna Casts prehistoric creatures done by the exceptional artist Malcolm Mlodoch (AKA dinonikes). For decades, Malcolm has worked for lots of museums. He has provided beautiful renderings of creatures from practically all the ages: from primitive invertebrates to the more recent mammals (not to mention that he also has sculpted modern fauna). His museum pieces are stunning (which by the way are still available and very affordable). It was already a great honour for us to have him in our midst but that wasn’t the end of it. Our obscene needs for dinosaurs made him realize that he could deploy his artistic skills by producing a line of 1:40 figures. This is Malcolm’s own description of the creative process:

“This line of prehistoric animal figures, has been, and is currently being, developed in a collaboration between myself and the members of the Dinosaur Toy Forum in an ongoing process. The goal with this line of figures is to offer collectors a unique opportunity to participate in the creation of a line of figures. This line will feature unusual naturalistic poses, multiple poses of the same species, and unusual species not usually produced by the major toy companies-in addition to new ways of representing the iconic species more familiar to the collector. Forum members were originally asked which species of prehistoric animals they would like to see developed as figures. A general consensus was reached ragarding sizes, figures should be in 1:40 scale whenever possible. A process developed between myself and the members to create these figures. This collaborative process is simple. I sculpt the figure, using all of the latest references I can find, or am provided by forum members. I post photos of the ‘finished’ clay pattern sculpture for critiquing by members- who then give their feedback, sharing their knowledge and opinions regarding the sculpture’s accuracy, pose and other details. After the critiquing stage, some sculpting revisions, and after a general consensus of final approval has been reached, the figures are ready to mold, cast, and offer up to collectors. I am very pleased with the results thus far- and look forward to future collaboration with everyone that takes the initiative to participate in this interesting process”

The result is an exquisite array of figures that are not exactly toys; they are not resin kits either, the consensus is that they are something in-between. The sculptures are not as cheap as a museum toy, the price is a little higher, but I can assure you that it’s completely worth it. This isn’t a mass marketed product, it’s a hand-painted piece of art straight from the artist. Most of the times a base is included, which makes toppling over virtually impossible.

I was very eager to finally meet his creations face to face, and after getting acquainted with this line, I can safely say not only that the creative process is unique, but also that his work can match (and in some cases easily surpass) any other 1:40 figure out there (in case there are equivalents, his Muraenosaurus for instance is the only one made so far).

This is the list of prehistoric creatures that Malcolm has made so far:

-Dilophosaurus
-Muraenosaurus
-Tyrannosaurus rex
-Ophthalmosaurus
-Acrocanthosaurus
-Parasaurolophus

I have heard that the Tylosaurus will be available very soon.

So don’t be shy, please visit Dinonikes’ subforum to participate in this exciting project!

These are some pics of the amazing sculptures, including the recently released Acrocanthosaurus:

Parasaurolophus (2007 version) (Replica-Saurus by Schleich)

Parasaurolophus is a well known lambeosaurine dinosaur from Late Cretaceous North America, where it lived near the Western Interior Seaway. It sported a large crest on its skull which may have been used for making vocalizations and has caused this genus to be easily recognizable to the public. The name means “near-crested reptile”. Parasaurolophus was a large animal at over 30 feet in length, but was herbivorous. The first fossil remains were discovered in 1920 in Alberta, Canada by an expedition from the University of Toronto. The area is now known as the Dinosaur Park Formation.

Parasaurolophus is one of the most ubiquitous dinosaur figures out there because it seems to be as much of a requirement for a toy line as T.rex or Triceratops. However, very few sculpts do justice to the animal. This figure, which was released in 2007, does. Schleich previously released a green Parasaurolophus in a tripod pose for this line, which is a good figure, but this one’s better. Schleich’s 2007 Para is 9 inches long (1/40 scale) and hefty! You’ll notice it’s very solidly built when handled. The figure is incredibly detailed and covered in realistic scales, giving it a rough texture. The colors are very earthy, if a bit drab, but that’s Schleich. The predominant color is a caramel brown, with darker brown spots that almost give it a cow-like pattern. There is a row of these markings along the spine. The figure’s underside is gray and the crest is an interesting lime green, which contrasts with the brown. Its hooves are painted dark brown and its eyes are yellow with black pupils. The animal is in a quadrupedal striding pose.

This Parasaurolophus is awesome. It is quite possibly the best figure Schleich has released to date. This one shows that the people at Schleich did a little research. The sculpt is very well proportioned and does not have the “awkward” vibe of a lot of other Schleich sculpts (cough*Ceratosaurus*cough). The scalation all over the body and the wrinkles on its tail make this figure very realistic. There are even very small scales on its head. The limbs show some muscle definition, the 1^st and 5^th digits of the forelimbs are reduced, and the animal is also posed on all fours, which is an idea widely viewed by paleontologists to be its usual posture, although Parasaurolophus could run on two legs. The neck also curves up in a nice S-shape, and there is no purely speculative fleshy sail connecting the crest to the neck. Lastly, there is a notch in the figure’s spine above the shoulders. This was recently thought to perhaps accommodate the animal’s large crest, but it has since been determined that the fossil specimen the anomaly was found in was broken. Still, I like its inclusion because it shows that Schleich was at least paying attention to research, which is something I’m not so sure they always do…

Parasaurolophus is my favorite dinosaur, and this figure is one of my favorite ever renditions of it. Pictures make it look good, but it’s a figure you really have to see for yourself. I don’t foresee this guy being retired anytime soon and it is widely available. This figure gets top marks from me.

Steppe Mammoth (Papo)

Review and photographs by ‘Bucketfoot-Al’

Papo has produced some excellent prehistoric toy dinosaur figures recently as you undoubtedly know – not always accurate but always 100% high quality, with remarkable detail. But this review is about one of their discontinued figures from our more recent past. I am talking about their running Mammoth figure. It is still available from a few internet shops including Amazon.com (here) and comes up on www.ebay.com fairly frequently.

The main knock on this figure for me was that it is done in 1:40 scale, rather than the larger scales of the other Mammoths (Bullyland, Safari, Schleich, Procon). But there are enough 1:40 scale figures around now. Wild Safari and Bullyland, Schleich and even Procon produce many of their larger prehistoric mammals in 1:40 scale, while some smaller animals are rendered in larger scales. So a viable 1:40 prehistoric mammal collection can be assembled (if you happen to care about all the figures being in scale like I do).

Having said that, it is still 8.5” long and about 4.5” tall at the shoulder. What makes this sculpt unique is not only the pose; although it has body hair it is fairly closely cropped to the body and one look at the sculpt makes knowledgeable paleofans instantly realize that, unlike the other companies’ Mammoths, this one is not the Woolly Mammoth.

Instead, this older Papo version is clearly a Steppe Mammoth (Imperial Mammoth, Columbian Mammoth, Sungari Mammoth were all versions of this species), which was the largest Mammoth ever, some (like Sungari) up to 17 feet tall at the shoulder (!) and weighing anywhere from 10-15 tons, making it one of the 3 largest mammals that ever lived, right after Indricotherium and its distant older cousin, the Deinotheirum, with which it was roughly on par size-wise. One way to tell is the size and shape of the head and tusks vis-à-vis the body. It screams ‘Steppe Mammoth’. So this makes this piece unique in PVC Mammoth annals.

Now on to the sculpt itself. Like Steppe Mammoths, which had a variety of tusk shapes (some flared outwards, some straight ahead like in this figure), the model features accurate, fiendishly long tusks of the ‘straight ahead’ variety. (The much smaller Woolly Mammoths generally had more upwards curving tusks, shorter bodies and larger humps and more body hair.)

True to most Papo figures (the new Papo Woolly Mammoth sadly excluded) the level of detail and general accuracy of the animal make it, next to the Safari large Wooly Mammoth, one of the two best Mammoth figures out there. But you’d better look quickly as its becoming rare to find – though the prices are still quite low ($9 – $20 range, on ebay and a few Internet shops that still have it).

This is my favorite PVC Mammoth, I only recently got one for my 1:40 scale collection, and boy am I glad that I did! (Look at ‘Hans’, the Schleich 1:40 human figure next to it in the photos for an idea of its size.) A few photos from several angles give a far better appreciation of the sculpt than the Papo stock photo . (Have you ever wondered why the stock photos released by all of the Paleo figure companies invariably fail to show the best side of the animals? Ever noticed that? Poor quality control, I would guess!!!) Anyhow, any Mammoth fan needs to have this one as a part of his/her collection. I doubt that we will see another PVC sculpt of a Steppe Mammoth any time soon, and this one earns 5 STARS for both accuracy and detail quality.

Currently available from Amazon.com (here)

Leptoceratops (Wild Safari by Safari Ltd)

Review and photos by Griffin8891

Leptoceratops was a small ceratopsian from the Maastrichtian period at the very end of the Cretacious in North America. It would have lived alongside it’s much more famous cousins, Triceratops and Torosaurus as well as other dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus and Anatotitan to name a few. Unlike many of its contemporaries, however, this guy was tiny, measuring only about two, maybe three meters in length.

Let me start off by saying that originally I had no intention of buying this little fellow but I am sure glad I did. It’s one of those figures that I had to see in person in order to appreciate. With regards to anatomy, I can’t really find anything wrong with it. The legs are the right lengths and the skull seems to be about the right size (maybe it could afford to be a bit smaller but that’s just me being extremely nit-picky. It’s a good figure.) The tail is also good in that it is widened longitudinally. Unlike its larger relatives, the smaller ceratopsians like Lepto and Protoceratops are known for having elongated neural arches on their tails which were most likely covered by flesh in life giving it a tall, flattened appearance. So overall this figure is good with regards to scientific accuracy as far as I can tell.

The pose is not too dynamic but not totally boring either. It seems to be quizzically looking up at something. It’s on all fours which is fine. Keep in mind, however, that this kind of dinosaur is believed to have been able to move around on its hind legs as well. The pose that it’s in is good though. It allows the tail to be balanced in the air instead of being used as an extra leg like so many bipedal safari dinosaurs end up doing so I’m not complaining.

The detail is also very nice. Previously, I had only seen photos of this figure and was unable to see the great detail that is actually there and wrote it off as something I had no intention of getting. When I finally held it in my hands, I was pleasantly proven wrong. Its skin is wrinkly all over and it has individually sculpted ridges on its back and the top of its tail that give it a really nice touch. The jaw is also something that really stood out to me as being well done. It’s boldly definition gives the impression that this little dino could deliver a powerful bite if need be.

Finally, the paint job is good as well. The dinosaur is mostly forest green with dark green stripes and has chain of reddish brown dots going down the length of the body. The head is a warm amber color that brightens towards the beak. The same green base-color is used for the pattern on the frill which is also outlined in reddish brown. Each black eye has a tiny white fleck to give the impression of reflection. The color scheme seems realistic for a small dinosaur that may seek refuge in the underbrush while trying to stay out of the way of its giant contemporaries.

I have no complaints about this pleasant little figure. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a cheap and rather cute addition to his or her collection. If you love ceratopsians like I do this little fellow should be a no-brainer. It can be found at any craft store or toy store and shouldn’t cost more than five dollars at the most.

Available from Amazon.com (here)

Tyrannosaurus rex Maquette (Sideshow Collectibles “Dinosauria”)

Review by Dan of DansDinosaurs.com
Photos by Dan Liebman and Jeremy Killian

What can be said of the Tyrannosaurus rex? Easily the most popular of all prehistoric animals, this universally recognized carnivore embodies the might and majesty of the ancient world. In any exhibit or product line, his presence is absolutely mandatory, his regal status beyond question. Since their premiere in 2009, Sideshow Collectibles has already released two interpretations of the species for their “Dinosauria” line. Although undeniably exciting, the “T.rex vs. Triceratops” scene has been depicted many times in the past. The challenge for this maquette is to create something fresh and original, to show the Tyrannosaurus as it has never been seen before.

One instantly noticeable aspect of this creature is the presence it commands, without even opening its jaws. The two previous Sideshow Dinosauria statues were extraordinarily dynamic, like snapshots of a violent scene. Instead, this tyrannosaur is plodding along with a relatively casual posture. This naturalistic vision is not commonly seen in mass-produced toys, often reserved for the eyes of mature collectors and resin model enthusiasts. This is indeed how one might expect the animal to appear in life, stalking in a Cretaceous forest, its immediate goal somewhat mysterious.

Sideshow has promised to reconstruct its dinosaurs not merely as museum display pieces, but as fully-fleshed out characters. Never before has this vision been executed so prominently or stylishly. This tyrannosaur is not smooth and pristine; he is a grizzled, ancient-looking predator, with old wounds decorating his body like war medals. Each unique laceration is carved into his flesh, a vast history for all to see. The ambiguity of these injuries leaves much to the imagination, and since speculating is half the fun, I will avoid sharing my own interpretations here. Some, such as the broad tears along the tail, appear fresh and young. Others, such as the swollen growth at his ankle, appear more severe and agonizing. This portrait of an old predator is not merely sympathetic, but potentially inspiring. He leers out at the viewer, almost challenging them: “What are your wounds compared to mine?”

Among the many talented artists involved in the creation of this piece, fans of paleoart will instantly recognize the signature style of David Krentz. This old bull is somewhat gracile (as the modern male rex is frequently depicted), with an avian build that strongly echoes Krentz’s theropods. The bird-like texturing on the feet, as well as the alert posture, coincides with our modern interpretation of the Tyrannosaurus. Even so, this old male was likely better at ambush than high-speed pursuits. His body is richly muscled, particularly in the powerful legs and neck. The neck is bristled with protruding knobs and wrinkled skin, further enhancing that scraggly, ancient visage.

The face itself is where much of the personal character can be seen. It is easy to imagine, yet difficult to fathom, the sheer number of rival predators this Tyrannosaur fought throughout its lifetime. Much of the impressive scarring can be found along the head, which is undoubtedly the business-end of the animal. The eyes and nostrils glisten realistically, with deep gashes running perpendicular to the jawline. The teeth are also notable, as many appear to be short or missing altogether. Tyrannosaurs were known to quickly replace teeth that were lost throughout their career, so this striking irregularity lends great credibility to the reconstruction.

The dark coloration of the body brightens into a golden hue before hitting the pale underside. This is somewhat consistent with the other Dinosauria Tyrannosaurus. The head appears to be almost flushed red, possibility as a warning to rivals, or for use in sexual display. It is this standout element that really amplifies the creature’s avian appearance, and even when perceived by a different species, there is no denying the color’s dramatic and striking effect.

Although the finer details are somewhat muddled when compared to the original stock photos, this remains an outstanding reconstruction of the Tyrannosaurus rex. It has tremendous power, personality, and attention to detail (even the feet appear to be dusted with moss from the earthen base). The only cause for hesitation is the price tag, which is comparable to a high-end resin kit, but this piece ships fully finished. This might not be the “prettiest” Rex on the market, but it is unquestionably one of the finest.

Scelidosaurus (Collecta Deluxe)

Scelidosaurus was a Lower Jurassic Tyreophoran from England. Discovered in the middle of the 19th century in Dorset and described by Richard Owen himself, this 4 m long, bird hipped dinosaur is standing at the changeover from small bipedal Ornithopods to quadrupedal Ankylosaurs or Stegosaurs.

Collecta Scelidosaurus is a nice figure to have, if it wasn´t for the cost/performance ratio. I payed 19,99 € for it, while some Schleichs of similar size are much cheaper. (“Dollecta?”) Maybe it is this expensive because it is declared as a “Deluxe” dinosaur.
To be honest, this is a promise Collecta Scelidosaurus can´t really live up to, although it is really neat.
Collecta Scelidosaurus is 23 cm long, 7 cm tall and of a really heavy touch. The back and the many shales and spikes of different sizes are all painted tan and beige. The shoulder spines make an exception: These eye-catchers are light red. The belly is grey.

The animal has been caught at quick pace, mouth open. It seems as if it´s running away from a predator.

The head and neck reveal some cool details: The neck is laced with overlapping scales, the head has horns who face backward, making them look like ears, which is a little annoying, I must admit. Also annoying is the fact that the front legs´ outer toe points backwards. I´m also not sure if the number of toes was really five.
All in all I recommend Collecta Scelidosaurus to every collector with a wider span of species and companies.
Two questions remain unanswered: Did Collecta exaggerate by providing the animal with so many scales and horns? And isn´t the overall approach too clumsy? Lookig at this figure, one could think Scelidosaurus was 10 or so metres long. But it was much smaller and probably more slender and agile.

Bonus:
As far as I know, currently there are only two Scelidosaur figures out there: This one and the Invicta, dating back to 1975. You can´t really compare these two to each other. They each represent a different period of regarding dinosaurs generally. The Invicta the “tail-dragging reptile” – time, this one the “erect tail cow – style” time.

Eustreptospondylus (Procon)

Those who know me on the forum have noticed that I dislike Procon very much and I wanted to show everybody why I do. Some had even suggested that I’d like them if I happened to acquire at least one. Let me tell you, not even the gratitude I feel for having received this figure as a donation makes me tolerate it more (I also received the Hydrotherosaurus but unfortunately I found it rather crude too). It’s ugly and it’s cartoonish. I can’t believe this is the stuff that is competing with other companies that have at least tried to improve the quality of their products.

I for one would have appreciated a well-done Eustreptospondylus, it was a medium-sized Jurassic theropod very similar to Megalosaurus (the size, less than 5 meters or 15 feet, is debatable though, it appears that the specimen described by none other than Sir Richard Owen was not a fully grown individual). The only specimen available today is not even complete, it was found near Oxford in marine sediments (no wonder a Liopleurodon eats one in Walking with Dinosaurs!). It’s rather depressing that we have no passable megalosaur replicas.

It would be ridiculous to compare the real skeleton with this parody of a dinosaur. Procon tends to prey on other paleoartists. In this case they took the image from the Dougal Dixon Encyclopaedia (I have seen it and truth be told, it’s a painting that doesn’t even favor this dinosaur). After getting acquainted with Procon’s misshapen ‘dinosaurs’ I can tell you for sure that the makers don’t even bother to check online sources for their reconstructions, let alone serious publications, they just rip off whatever source they see fit. One clear example: the ‘Polacanthus’ was copied off a illustration in which the perspective hid the hip shield. That’s why the Procon ‘Polacanthus’ has no hip shield. In the case of the Procon ‘Eustrepto’ the weird (and not very accurate) ornamentations of the head that appear in the original were copied indiscriminately.  Every collector knows that practically every company uses paleoart as inspiration, but every company I can think of knows how to copy when it decides to. This thing is an amateurish vulgarity, unprofessional hands have clumsily molded it. Even with the disadvantage of having undergone such a ‘creative’ process, I will concede that the overall shape is close to that of a megalosaur of some sort (thanks no doubt to the original illustration) but that hardly compensates the enormous flaws that plague poor ‘Eustreptospondylus’: the legs and the feet are horribly deformed and disproportionate, the hallux is crudely sculpted, the neck is  too long and the head doesn’t have an ounce of realism.

Everybody talks about how cheap Procon figures are, but the way I see it these are just expensive chinasaurs. Unfortunately every year Procon butchers more prehistoric animals, many theropods and sauropods like Shunosaurus or Becklespinax have been ravaged beyond recognition. Taking other companies into account, especially Safari, I can only conclude that this is a retrograde line. Procon should slow down, hire more competitive artists and release fewer figures that are better done.

Available from Amazon.com (here)