The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that captures the awe-inspiring nature of the prehistoric giant. Upon first glance, its size is truly impressive; this is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, measuring nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
$249.99 at LEGO Store
Upon closer inspection, the level of detail is remarkable. The ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks enhances the shadowing, making the light-colored "bone" bricks stand out vividly. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly straightforward to assemble, which adds to the overall appeal.
We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex
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For those who grew up fascinated by dinosaurs, a visit to the American Museum of Natural History and the towering T-Rex skeleton there left a lasting impression. The excitement of encountering such a massive creature was further captured in Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," where he vividly described 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."
Many of us grew up with the image of the T-Rex standing upright, its tail dragging behind:
However, scientific understanding has evolved, revealing that the T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance:
The above image features "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton discovered, at 90% completeness. Its discovery by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. The small bones visible in the belly area, known as *gastralia*, were initially omitted from displays due to their unknown placement. We now know these bones supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to its heavier build.
The T-Rex from the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects an outdated view of dinosaurs, with a more horizontal but still lean body. Recent findings, including the role of the gastralia, indicate the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing between nine to ten tons and sporting a significant belly.
The most current and accurate depiction of a T-Rex, based on Sue's skeleton, shows a chubbier and more realistic portrayal:
Reflecting the latest scientific insights, the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set accurately portrays the T-Rex in a horizontal position. While it does not include the gastralia, the rib placement suggests a "barrel-chested" structure, differing from the lean depictions 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, composed of 3011 pieces, comes in 25 sealed plastic bags. The assembly process starts with building the black stand, followed by the T-Rex's backbone, which connects to vertical supports. Subsequent steps involve constructing the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed, while the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.
Given its size, finding a suitable display location for this impressive model might be challenging. It requires a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table to truly showcase its magnificence.
Although technically part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set's connection to the movie feels somewhat forced. The final bag includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original *Jurassic Park* film, along with a Jurassic Park-branded placard. However, the set's name and the option in the instruction booklet to remove these elements suggest a focus on the T-Rex itself rather than the movie tie-in. This LEGO T-Rex, like the LEGO Titanic set, stands on its own merit and does not rely on movie memorabilia for its appeal.
LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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