The Dinosaur Toy Blog

What’s this – the Carnegie Dilong again? Haven’t we seen it around these parts before? Well, yes, we have. Unfortunately, the original reviewer left the blog some time ago and, for whatever reason, deleted all his posts upon departure. As such, what you are reading now is a replacement – written by me, I’m afraid. So, without further delay, let’s take a good gander at the Carnegie Dilong from 2005. Again.

Dilong paradoxus lived in China in the Early Cretaceous, as did Caudipteryx and Beipiaosaurus (although perhaps not at exactly the same time), both of which have also subsequently made it into the Carnegie Collection. While it’s definitely a plus that this Dilong and the Beipiaosaurus are sculpted at roughly the same scale, Dilong was a somewhat more diminutive creature than Beipiaosaurus (or at least, the type specimen was). As such, fine details are a little more fudged than on the therizinosaur, particularly around the head; the teeth are indistinct while the eyes, apart from probably being a little too large, have asymmetrical splodgy pupils.

Of course, Dilong is most famous for having been preserved with evidence of a fuzzy ‘protofeather’ covering, and fortunately this is far more attractively rendered. The details remain very crisp up close, giving a pleasing impression of a ‘furry’ fluffiness. While the colours could be considered a little conservative, in this case it’s probably actually a good thing – a bright blue (for example) Dilong would actually have been incredibly unlikely, as the nature of ‘protofeathers’ all but prevents this colouration from being physically possible.

Anatomically, this model is very good even if it’s not perfect, and certainly excellent given its very cheap price tag. Perhaps most obviously, the hands do not match up especially well, the real Dilong having quite long hands and fingers of more differing lengths. The tail is also rather thin where it joins the body (not allowing room for muscles), although this was common in palaeoart until fairly recently. Other than that, the proportions are good – the legs are nice and long and the head is deep and narrow, with the characteristic low Y-shaped crest evident.

The Carnegie Collection has, since 2005, been so far ahead of the pack as regards feathered (nonavian) dinosaurs that it’s been a little embarrassing  (although that naked Velociraptor is a very unfortunate black mark), with Collecta only now catching up. Although certain aspects of the sculpt could use a little more finesse, this Dilong is certainly a worthy addition to a lineup that now also includes Microraptor, Oviraptor and of course the aforementioned Beipiaosaurus and Caudipteryx. Hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot more of them – starting with a Velociraptor resculpt!

We’re joining this particular party late as the following Safari Ltd photos have been circulating the interwebs for months now, so it’s about time we posted them here to complete (more-or-less) our round up of new dinosaur figures for 2012. So, here’s a preview of Safari Ltd’s offerings for this year. Five new figures will be released including a single addition to the Carnegie collection, a humongous Brachiosaurus, that will put the old version to shame. In the Wild Safari line, four new figures will be added. When we factor in all the new releases from Safari Ltd, Papo, CollectA, and Bullyland, we certainly have a lot to look forward to in 2012.

From top to bottom: Carnegie Collection Brachiosaurus, and Wild Safari Vagaceratops, Dracorex, Ceratosaurus, and Acrocanthosaurus.

Review and photos by forum member Gwangi, edited by DinoLord

Everyone familiar with dinosaurs knows the name Apatosaurus, and those not familiar with dinosaurs probably are familiar with it but still call it Brontosaurus despite a name change over 100 years ago. I won’t bother getting into any of that as anyone reading this review most likely already knows the story. Let’s just say that whenever I talk about dinosaurs with the average person I’m forced to describe any sauropod as “you know… like Brontosaurus.” I’ll admit, I prefer the former name over the current but it is what it is and ultimately has little to do with the figure I’m reviewing.

It was the year 1988: I was four years old, the “Dinosaur Renaissance” was about two decades in and the book “Jurassic Park” was two years away from publication. Dinosaurs were still frequently depicted as they were in days past. Only a year previously Invicta released it’s rendition of the famous Apatosaurus, tail dragger and all but a new brand of dinosaur figures was about to be released, one that would reflect the knowledge of the time and ultimately out compete Invicta. Though outdated by today’s standards, the original Carnegie Collection was unlike any other toy dinosaurs at the time and their Apatosaurus was one of those toys.

The Carnegie Apatosaurus is a big one and depending on which version you own would measure 5” in height and 21-23” in length if not for the bend in the neck and tail, this
length puts the figure at about 1/40 in scale. It is also quite heavy weighing in between 1-2 lbs again depending on the version you own. Mine is the smaller 1996 version but was pre-dated by another in 1994 and as said the original in 1988. The colors also vary depending on which year the model came from. The two later versions are the Carnegie
standard greens with a darker pattern dorsally. The original was grey and tan and where color is concerned honestly better looking in my opinion. The figure is well textured with
many wrinkles and scales with more of the former as seems to be the Carnegie tradition.

The original 1988 version of the Carnegie Apatosaurus (with the baby Carnegie Apatosaurus figure). Note the different color scheme, more "humped" back, and different tail. Photo by forum member webdragon.

The overall stance of the figure is quite dynamic. The newer model strides forward with a low slung tail that curves up. It is important to note that the tail does not drag on the
newer models but in the older the tip does touch the ground. The neck curves up and back down with the head veering towards the left. It gives the appearance that the animal is
looking for food or at some unseen predator or perhaps its offspring; a baby Apatosaurus was also released with this model but will not be reviewed here.

The model has a lot of bulk to it, though small compared to the real thing you get a sense of size with this figure. The proportions are fairly good, but I think the figure could stand
a bit taller. The front legs are shorter than the back as should be but the feet are huge and inaccurate, but given the release date it is forgivable. The current consensus is that with
sauropod feet only the thumb claw could be seen on the front and the first three in the back. These large inaccurate feet are common with the older Carnegie sauropods; I can
understand the number of toe nails but why the large feet I can only guess. All the toe nails are painted grey.

The head is appropriately small but could probably be smaller; the neck is beefy but could probably be beefier and a bit longer. The head is the right shape. No Camarasaurus
skull on this guy. However, the paint job leaves a lot to be desired. The mouth is a sloppy pink line and the teeth merely white spots painted on randomly. The nostrils are high up on
the head as was the mindset of the time. Currently it is thought that they were closer to the front of the snout. The eyes are yellow with black pupils. Along the back and tail
a prominent ridge has been sculpted which accurately reflects the tall spines the actual Apatosaurus had. The tail comes close to the ground or touches it in older models when
it should be held higher but the figure still looks good regardless. The tail is a bit on the short side and lacks the long thin tip but being a toy this should come as no surprise.

Overall what we’re left with is a well made but dated Apatosaurus that seems to walk the line between the old school and new school way of thinking in terms of what dinosaurs
were like. It is still a handsome figure essential to any sauropod collection unless you’re the type who only wants the most accurate figures, but keep in mind that what is accurate
now may not be in a matter of years or even days. If you’re a Carnegie collector this one will have to do as they have yet to release an updated version.

The year was 1985. When the world was first introduced to Carnotaurus sastrei, the stock market went wild, the streets were flooded with panicked mobs, and the skies became saturated with an eerie purple tinge.

Alright, maybe that isn’t entirely true. The first big break for our brow-horned friend probably came in Crichton’s bestselling sequel to Jurassic Park, The Lost World, where Carnotaurus prowled the darkness with chameleonic camouflage (speculative, naturally). Of course, this scene never made it into the film, so the 2000 Disney film Dinosaur could be credited with launching the creature’s colossal career. Unfortunately, mainstream media is rarely a good reference for accurate reconstructions of prehistoric life. That’s where the Carnegie Collection comes in.

Original prototype sculpture by Forest Rogers

Original unpainted sculpture. Note the sharp teeth, which are typically blunted on the figure for child safety

In 1997, the world’s premiere line of museum-authenticated replicas first unveiled the Carnotaurus. Like most other Carnegie figures at the time, it was crafted at 1:40 scale. This modest size, combined with the relatively crude manufacturing of the time, resulted in a somewhat stocky Carnotaurus figure – a chipper little dinosaur that was only too happy to be let out of some suburbanite’s backyard. Charming perhaps, but not quite conveying the ferocity necessary to be taken seriously among so many intimidating carnivores.

Original Carnegie Carnotaurus from 1997 (left) and new 2011 Carnegie Carnotaurus (right)

Many managerial and technological changes have occurred since that time, and the Carnegie Collection has always held its position as the premiere prehistoric collectible line. In 2011, an entirely new sculpt was released at a generous 1:30 scale. This could cause a little confusion among casual collectors, who will see this new Carnotaurus standing high among the true giants like Giganotosaurus and Tyrannosaurus (crafted in the more conventional 1:40 scale). From a strictly commercial standpoint however, a bigger replica makes sense. People love giant predatory dinosaurs, and Carnotaurus is gaining more renown each year.

For the paleontologically informed, the increased size of this Carnotaurus also has its perks. Aesthetic and anatomical details that might be obscured in a smaller scale replica become crystal clear. The tiny hands bear four separate fingers, and the body is lined with patterned bumps and scutes. This is particularly relevant for Carnotaurus, as it is one of the rare examples of a dinosaur for which skin impressions have been discovered. Sculptor Forest Rogers often crafts these animals on the lean side, which is particularly well-suited for the leggy abelisaur. Muscles bulge from the powerful legs, ensuring the beast was well-equipped for quick takedowns. More recent studies have also suggested that Carnotaurus was built to bite speedily with its jaws, reinforcing the idea of a Patagonian predator bent on running down prey and striking like lightning with its lengthy neck.

Much like the Cryolophosaurus and Spinosaurus of years gone by, the new Carnotaurus starts in a modest beige base color. Moving up the flanks, the warmer gold and orange continue to the dorsal side, where dark mottled patterns taper back down the body. The effect beckons to our primitive response to fire, crackling flames with plumes of ash and smoke. The patterns are actually reminiscent of those favored by Steve Riojas – his own designs for the Sideshow Carnotaurus seem a potential source of inspiration.

The head is naturally a major area of focus, and the replica appears to follow the contours of the Carnotaurus skull very closely. The signature horns are black-tipped, while the cheeks are spotted and look a bit like freckles. The eyes sparkle in gold, a classic trait of a Carnegie dinosaur. On the snout is a flush of red, yet it does not blend quite as softly as the meticulously painted prototype sculpture. The slightly rougher application of paint, combined with the copious amount of glistening red inside the mouth, actually lends the appearance of an animal that has recently fed from a carcass. It is doubtful this was an intentional effect – after all, children represent a huge proportion of the market for these collectibles. Even so, if you allow your imagination to take flight, this is a pretty cool idea for a mass-produced replica, one that I haven’t seen implemented in any other figure. Those who detest the idea, can simply go on pretending it’s some sort of pigment flush of sexual maturity. Interpretation is where the fun begins.

New Carnegie dislay tag. Sadly, the traditional scientific facts are conspicuously absent from the booklet.

Like the 2009 Spinosaurus, the Carnotaurus does seem to have the “half-balance” trick. In other words, some models seem to stand their own two feet without a tail supporting it, but this can vary greatly depending on the individual model. Often an inclined surface or prop is necessary, and there’s no telling how long it can hold the pose, so the safest thing is to just use the tail for long-term display. The tails themselves actually differ wildly in between models, with some going straight down and others coiling around. This extra bit of variability among already hand-painted models truly makes each one unique; shopping for the one you want might feel a bit like shopping for produce. Awesome dinosaur produce, with teeth and horns instead of stems and leaves.

The high-contrast patterns really help to make the wonderfully sculpted 2011 Carnotaurus stand out among the other Carnegies. It is a perfect example of dedicated manufacturing, expert craftsmanship, and steadfast paleontological authenticity – certainly worthy of the Carnegie name. This is easily one of the most anticipated dinosaur figures of the year, and there can be little doubt it will dominate the shelf as it makes its way to a shop near you.

Now available through eBay stores here