The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, a LEGO Store exclusive, is a breathtakingly ambitious build. Its sheer size is immediately striking; this is a meticulously detailed 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex. Upon closer inspection, the level of detail is astonishing. Notice the precisely varied lengths of the ribs forming a realistic rib cage, and how the dark bricks cleverly create shadowing, making the light-colored "bone" bricks pop. Despite its intricate appearance, the build is surprisingly manageable, making the final result all the more impressive.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
$249.99 at LEGO Store
Building the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex
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My childhood fascination with dinosaurs, particularly the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History, resurfaced while rereading Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder." This passage perfectly captures the awe-inspiring scale:
"*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 years, the popular depiction of the T-Rex was upright, tail dragging:
However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex, contrary to earlier beliefs, held its spine parallel to the ground, its tail acting as a counterbalance:
The discovery of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton (90%), revolutionized our understanding. The previously unknown *gastralia* (belly ribs) revealed a much heavier creature than previously imagined – nine to ten tons, not five to seven.
Compare this with the leaner depiction in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park*, reflecting the outdated understanding of the time. The more recent, accurate portrayal shows a significantly heavier, "barrel-chested" T-Rex:
The LEGO T-Rex model accurately reflects this updated understanding, showcasing the horizontal posture. While it omits the gastralia, the ribcage suggests a robust build. The forward-facing arms align with the current Field Museum display of "Sue."
The 25-bag set's construction is methodical: stand, backbone, neck, legs, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. Legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are posable. The nearly three-and-a-half-foot-long model demands a prominent display location.
While technically part of the LEGO Jurassic Park franchise, including Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler minifigures, this connection feels somewhat forced. The set's name and the option to remove the minifigure display highlight the model's inherent magnificence, surpassing the need for movie tie-ins. Its size, scope, and price point ensure its appeal independently of any franchise branding – much like the LEGO Titanic set.
This is not merely movie memorabilia; it's a stunning, scientifically informed masterpiece. LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex (Set #10335), retailing at $269.99 and comprising 3011 pieces, is a LEGO Store exclusive.
More Sets From LEGO Jurassic Park Collection:
LEGO T. rex Skull
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LEGO Jurassic Park Visitor Center
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LEGO Triceratops Skull
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LEGO Little Eatie T Rex
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LEGO Creator 3 in 1 T. Rex
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