LEGO Dinosaurs: Building the Ultimate T-Rex Fossil Model

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 dinosaur enthusiasts and LEGO fans alike. At a 1:12 scale, this model of a real T-Rex is impressive in size, immediately drawing attention with its sheer presence.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the detail of the set becomes apparent. The ribs are meticulously crafted at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks enhances the shadow effect, making the light-colored "bone" bricks stand out vividly. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which only adds to its allure.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

168 Images

For those who grew up fascinated by dinosaurs, the T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History was a towering marvel. This fascination was further fueled by literature, such as Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," which vividly describes the awe-inspiring presence 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, the T-Rex was often depicted standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground, as seen in many early illustrations and museum displays:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

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:

Source: Field Museum

The above image is of "Sue," the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found, at 90% completeness. Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990, this find revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. Notably, the small bones in the T-Rex's belly, known as *gastralia*, were initially omitted from public displays due to uncertainty about their placement. Today, we know these bones supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to its bulkier appearance.

Source: Universal Pictures

The 1993 film *Jurassic Park* depicted the T-Rex with a more horizontal body position, aligning with newer scientific insights, yet it still portrayed a leaner dinosaur. Recent discoveries, including the gastralia, indicate that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons, with a significant belly that hung close to the ground.

This life-sized model, based on Sue's bones, offers the most accurate depiction of a T-Rex to date:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

It's a chubbier and more endearing image than previously thought, isn't it?

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this updated scientific understanding, maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal positioning. While it does not include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, contrasting with the lean, efficient killing machine often seen in popular media. The set's arms are positioned forward, consistent with the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set comes in 25 sealed plastic bags. Assembly begins with the black stand, followed by the T-Rex's backbone, which attaches to vertical supports. The rest of the model, including the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and head, is built sequentially. 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 requires ample space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table, where it can truly dominate the space it occupies.

Although technically part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park-branded placard. However, this franchise tie-in feels somewhat forced. The set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' lacks any direct movie reference, and the instruction booklet even offers an option to remove the minifigure and placard display, allowing the skeleton to stand alone. This suggests that the Jurassic Park connection is somewhat superfluous, as the set's impressive size, scope, and price are enough to sell it on its own merits, much like the iconic LEGO Titanic build.