The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that captures the imagination of both young and old. As you approach it, the first thing you'll notice is its impressive size; this set is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, which is bound to make a statement in any space.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
Priced at $249.99 at the LEGO Store, this set doesn't just impress with its size. Upon closer inspection, you'll be amazed by the intricate detailing. The ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," and the use of darker bricks creates shadows that highlight the light-colored "bone" bricks, making the skeleton pop. Despite its complex appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which only adds to its appeal.
We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex
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My fascination with dinosaurs started early, particularly when I visited the American Museum of Natural History and was captivated by the towering T-Rex skeleton. Years later, Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" further fueled my awe with its vivid description:
"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 misconception that the T-Rex stood upright with its tail dragging on the ground:
However, scientific understanding evolved, revealing that the T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance:
This updated depiction is of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found, with 90% of its bones. The discovery of Sue by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson reshaped our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy, particularly with the identification of gastralia—bones that supported the dinosaur's breathing and were initially omitted from public displays.
The T-Rex from the 1993 film Jurassic Park reflects the older, leaner perception, but modern findings indicate that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing between nine and ten tons, with a significant belly.
Our most accurate depiction of a T-Rex comes from a life-sized model based on Sue's bones:
The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set aligns with these modern scientific insights, presenting the T-Rex in its horizontal stance. While it doesn't include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" dinosaur. The set's arms are posed forward, in line with the updated display at the Field Museum.
The set comes in 25 sealed plastic bags. You start by building the black stand, then the backbone attaches to vertical supports, with the rest of the model hanging onto it. The assembly progresses with the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are posable.
At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this model demands a significant space. It will dominate wherever it's placed; a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table is ideal.
The set is part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, which includes two minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park logo placard. However, the tie-in feels somewhat forced, as the set's name and the option to remove the minifigures and placard suggest it can stand alone.
A set of this size, scope, and price doesn't need brand synergy to sell; it's a statement piece much like the LEGO Titanic, which also stands alone without needing movie tie-ins. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and comprises 3011 pieces, available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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