LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Building the Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Model

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is an awe-inspiring, ambitious build that immediately captivates with its size. This set presents a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, offering an impressive visual impact.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the detail in this set is truly remarkable. The ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," and the use of dark-colored bricks to cast shadows accentuates the light-colored "bone" bricks, creating a striking visual effect. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, making the building process enjoyable and rewarding.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

My fascination with dinosaurs began in childhood, especially after visiting the American Museum of Natural History, where the towering T-Rex skeleton left a lasting impression. Later, Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" further fueled my interest with its vivid description of 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."

Historically, many believed the T-Rex stood upright with its tail dragging on the ground:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, recent scientific discoveries have shown that the T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance:

Source: Field Museum

The photo above features "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton discovered, which has transformed our understanding of the creature. The *gastralia* bones, initially missing from public displays, were later recognized as lining the T-Rex's belly and aiding its breathing.

Source: Universal Pictures

The 1993 film *Jurassic Park* depicted the T-Rex with a more horizontal posture, but still leaner than current scientific understanding suggests. With the discovery of the gastralia, we now know the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons, and had a more substantial belly.

This life-sized model, inspired by Sue's bones, represents the most accurate depiction of a T-Rex to date:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

It's fascinating to see how our perception of the T-Rex has evolved to a more accurate, and perhaps more endearing, image.

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this modern understanding by maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal positioning. While it does not include the gastralia, the set's rib arrangement suggests a "barrel-chested" appearance, aligning with recent findings. The model's arms are positioned forward, consistent with the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set, containing 25 sealed plastic bags, starts with building the black stand. You then assemble the backbone, attaching it to vertical supports, followed by the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally the head. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.

Measuring nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model is a significant piece that requires ample space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface such as a dresser or coffee table, where it can truly showcase its grandeur.

Although this set is part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the inclusion of minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park-branded placard, feels somewhat forced. The set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' lacks any direct movie reference, and the instructions even offer an option to remove the minifigure display, highlighting the set's standalone appeal.

This set's impressive size, scope, and price point mean it stands on its own merit, much like the LEGO Titanic set. It doesn't need movie tie-ins to attract buyers; its inherent quality and detail are sufficient.

LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and comprises 3011 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.

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