The Dinosaur Toy Blog

Review and photos by ChemaV, edited by Plesiosauria

The Saurierpark (http://www.saurierpark.de/saurierpark.asp) is built on the grounds of a botanic garden, located in Kleinwelka, a subdivision of the city of Bautzen in Germany. In 1977 a large series of life sized dinosaurs were built out of steel and concrete. The designs were largerly based on designs by the excellent European paleoartist Zdeneck Burian, whose works (or ripoffs of them) were still being published in several books for children and adults. Though his designs have started to become  innacurate as new scientific discoveries have arisen, his talented artistic qualities are still enjoyable even today. In 1977, the Dinosaur Reinassance was slowly transforming all the good old tail-dragging dragons into post-modern warm-blooded proto-bird beasts. Still, the creators of the models for the Saurierpark in Kleinwelka choose the classic versions because popular imagry was still attched to Burian’s designs at the time,  and remained so until the end of the 80s. In 1991,  new models including a pack of killer Deinonychus, and other creatures with a new warm-blooded look, were added alongside the existing retro-looking sculptures.

In the 70s, the Saurierpark had a gift shop where plastic models of the giant sculptures were sold. These were ade of an unknown German plastic. The Iguanodon figure was made in at least two different versions with very different materials. I don’t  know if the rest of figures were also made in these two (or more) different versions, but it’s very possible; my theory is that the lighted material ones are the oldest, probably from the very early 70’s.

The “version 1” is made from a very lightweight “plastic”, about 0.01 lb (in comparison with the “version 2” that weights about 0.08 lb). The material looks similar but in addition to the differnt weight, the surface of the “version 1” is  rougher to the touch. The “version 1” has a lighter colour than the “version 2”. Their size is exactly the same in both(exactly the same mold).

Picture of the “version 1 (it has "Iguanodon, Saurierpark Kleinwelka, SAchsan (?)" written on the belly)

Picture of the version 2 (it says only "SKS" on the belly):

The Iguanodon is totally reminiscent of Zdeneck Burian’s 1940s and 50’s paintings of the beast (a design that had already been transformed into  figures by Marx, Invicta, Starlux and others). The figure maintains the same Iguana-on-steroids appearance, with the upright kangaroo pose and the dragging tail. It is implied that the animal would walk only on its two hind legs: it’s not simply rising up to obtain higher leaves as Iguanodon is often represented today. In comparison with the modern representations of Iguanodon on two legs, this old version has a much straighter column. The beast is also in an active walking pose. He exposes his left knife-like thumb, perhaps preparing to stab the belly of some enemy.

The figure is fairly well detailed. Not as much as the Invicta version (a quality that few plastic lines could ever reach) but  Kleinwelka figures have charm even if objectively ugly -  I personally like it a lot. And this  guy surely is ugly! His face depicts a total badass, with angry eyes and exposed teeth (no cheeks). He has a reptilian piece of skin on the throat, just like the reptile who gave him his name.

Additional details include is a subtle line of osteoderms along the back like a dragon,  muscles and skin wrinkles, and some veins are even sculpted. The “version 1” even has very little scales all over the skin. These are very nicely done, and the “version 2” doesn’t have this (the skin is totally smooth). This is the reason why I consider the “version 1” as being older:  it’s more detailed and the quality of the molds could have diminished with time). I recommend this figure to nostalgic lovers of Zdeneck Burian’s designs, and as a true piece of dinosaur figures’ history.

Sometimes available on eBay here

Safari Ltd has released several new tubes in 2010, or Toobs, to be funky but grammatically incorrect, each of which contains a selection of prehistoric critters. But before we pour these new toobs out for review, let’s take a look at one of the existing toob sets. We previously rummaged through the Feathered Dinosaurs Toob here, so now we’ll cast our eyes over the 2005 ‘Prehistoric Life Toob’. As with all of the tubes, the lid consists of a spinable globe for “extra playability”.

While it says prehistoric life on the package, the set is far more specific than that because it contains an array of extinct Cenozoic mammals. In Safari Ltd speak I think “Prehistoric” means Cenozoic, because their Prehistoric Life Collection is also dedicated to extinct mammals. There are nine life-forms altogether in the tube. The set is supplemented by three pieces of scenery: a volcano, a pine tree, and a hunk of meat cooking on a spit! The figures are all about 6 cm long and are not to scale.

There are two hominid figures, one is a male with a spear and the other is a female holding hands with a child. The underside of the green bases identify these figures respectively as “Caveman throwing spear” and “Cavewoman with child”. Their pronounced brow ridges and deep jaws suggest that they are supposed to neanderthals: Homo neanderthalensis. All three figures are dressed in traditional movie-land caveman garb, the man and child wear animal-skin trunks while the female has a fur dress that Wilma Flintstone would be proud of. The female is also holding some sort of stick, has hairy shins and a shocking mullet. Moving swiftly on to the other wildlife in the tube…

According to the names imprinted on the tummy of each critter, the animals in the set are a Wooly mammoth, Arsinoitherium, Doedicurus, Giant Sloth, Sabre Tooth Tiger, Andrewsarchus, and Macrauchenia. A short description of each figure follows:

The wooly mammoth looks particularly cheerful. Its head and trunk are raised up. Its mouth is open and its eyebrows are raised in an expression of delight. In fact, even the flared nostrils at the tip of the trunk seem to purvey a sense of fun. The Arsinoitherium is a spectacular animal; you can find out more about it in our review of the large Prehistoric Life Collection version here.. This figure has an air of realism lacking in some of the other figures in this set. In pose, the toob version is basically like a smaller version of the Prehistoric Life Collection version of this species (Reviewed here).

The saber tooth tiger (a misnomer by the way, Smilodon is not a tiger and ‘saber tooth cat’ is the correct term) is a little cartoony, but I think this is mostly down to the extremely pink nose. The stocky muscular sculpt is very distinctive for the genus Smilodon. The short bob-tail is raised and the right arm is swiping out, while the mouth is wide open bearing the eponymous saber-like fangs. The striped paint job is reminiscent of true tigers.

The giant ground sloth is depicted leaning on its haunches, supported by its tail. This Megatherium is rudely prodtruding a fleshy purple tongue. The figure has large inwards curved toes. The Andrewsarchus is depicted striding stealthily and bearing its teeth. The pose is almost identical to the larger Prehistoric Life Collection version of this species (Reviewed here). The colouration is also the same, yellow fur with black marks and a black tuft on the tip of the tail.

Close up of the Macrauchenia

Macrauchenia is a goofy looking animal with a protruding and dangling nose. It has white tufts on the elbows and on the face, and the tip of the nose and tail are picked out in dark brown. This one has a lot of character and is my favourite figure in the set. Incidentally, This figure is highly reminiscent of Schleich’s Macrauchenia figure (not yet reviewed on this blog, but featured on Tetrapod Zoology here.)

Close up of the Doedicurus

The final animal in the tube is the glyptodont Doedicurus. The unmistakable spiked tail is accurately rendered. The figure has a cheeky face and the tail is striking out wildly. The rough bobbly texture of the armour is picked out with grey highlights. Once again, the pose of this tiny figure is almost identical to the larger Prehistoric Life Collection version (Reviewed here).

Overall, this is a fun set with a diverse array of interesting creatures. Lots of potential for dioramas and highly recommended for small children.

Available from Safari.com (here) and Amazon.com (here) for just $10

It’s that time of year again, the Third Dinosaur Toy Forum Diorama Contest (2010) is open!

“Cretaceous Hunt” by Tomhet. One of the winning dioramas in the 2009 contest

The rules and regulations for the 2010 contest are as follows:

-Entry is free.

-All members of the Dinosaur Toy Forum, including staff, are invited to participate. Non-members wishing to participate are invited to register to the forum, this is free. Visit The Dinosaur Toy Forum

-There are no categories. Your diorama has to be about prehistoric organisms (from archaeobacteria to pteranodon– as long as it is prehistoric!).

-Each entry should be submitted as a jpg file and must be accompanied by a creative title.

-The deadline is June 20th 2010. (entries received after 00.00 hours GMT June 21st will be invalid) (That gives you plenty of time to make either a jungle-type or ice age diorama).

-One diorama entry per member.

-Your diorama entry should be sent via PM (personal message) to co-organizer Cordylus (http://dinotoyforum.proboards.com/index…..leopardgeckofan)clearly labeled as your diorama for the contest.

-If you have entered a diorama, you can’t send in another one to replace the first one!

-Dioramas have to be new (never published on the web before).

-You have to be the maker of the diorama. Stealing somebody else’s diorama will result in disqualification.

-Photoshop is allowed, but the original photograph(s) must be your own.

-Winners will be decided by a poll open to all forum members, entries will remain anonymous until the winners are announced.

-Prizes. There will be prizes for first, second and third place winners. In addition to a personalized banner, the prizes are as follows:

1st Prize
Carnegie Spinosaurus, Tylosaurus and Diplodocus.

2nd Prize
Carnegie Giganotosaurus, Amargasaurus, and Wild Safari Postosuchus.

3rd Prize
Wild Safari Tapejara, Nigersaurus, and Dunkleosteus.

You can see all of the previous diorama contest entries here (2009) and here (2008) Check them out for inspiration! Good luck!

“Hunting Party” by Pilkington. One of the winning dioramas in the 2009 contest.

Chasmosaurus is a fairly well known ceratopsian that lived in Canada during the Campanian era of the Late Cretacious.  It’s characterized by a distinctly tall and wide frill accompanied by three horns on its face.  At least three individual species of this dinosaur are known due to variation amongst frills and horns on various skulls.  Chasmosaurus would have co-existed with other well known dinosaurs such as Parasaurolophus, Albertosaurus, Daspletosaurus, Dromaeosaurus and its ceratopsian relatives, Styracosaurus and Pachyrhinosaurus to name a few.

This particular figure from Procon looks like it’s either Chasmosaurus belli or Chasmosaurus russelli judging by the frill but chances are it wasn’t actually modeled to be any particular species.  It’s striking a rather dynamic pose, one front limb is raised up and the mouth is open in a roar.  It really looks angry as if it’s defending its babies or mate against a marauding Tyrannosaur.  The detailing is decent.  Its skin is bumpy with wide scales along the under belly.  The horns and beak are very smooth.

As far as scientific accuracy goes, this figure isn’t too great, especially if you are the nit-picky type.  The horns don’t really look right, especially the one on the nose, it’s too long and thorn-shaped like the brow horns.  It should probably be wider and a little shorter.  The feet are also pretty off.  Ceratopsian digits were most likely much more differentiated with regards to spacing and length as oppose to the stubby tortoise-style feet of this model.  Other than those two things it’s not horrible.  At the very least it’s clearly recognizable as a Chasmosaurus and not some other related dinosaur to anyone who knows the animal (which is more than I can say about some of Procon’s generic therapod figures).  Also, the tail is nice and short as it should be.  Many times people fail to understand how stubby ceratopsian tails really are.

The Chasmosaur’s skin is a pretty steel blue color and the horns, beak and toenails are all white.  Two red teardrop markings are painted on the frill which is pretty cool.  I’m always a fan of bright display colors especially on ceratopsians and hadrosaurs.  The eyes are orange with black vertically slit viper-looking pupils (Procon puts these on a lot of its dino toys for some odd reason).  The tongue is pink but the rest of the inside of the mouth is the same white color as the outside area of its beak.

All in all, this model is not really something to write home about.  The reason I got it was because ceratopsians are my favorite kind of dinosaur and because it’s of a genus that isn’t too often seen in toy form.  (Jurassic Park made an action figure of one for The Lost World movie in the 90s and there is a tiny one in Safari’s feathered dinosaur tube.)  This figure is also roughly 1:40 scale so that’s another plus for me and a lot of other people as well.  This model should be relatively easy to find at any store or website that sells procon figures if you decide to pursue one.

Available on Amazon.com (here)