LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Building the Impressive Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Model

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build. The first thing that strikes you is its size; this is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, commanding attention with its sheer presence.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the detail is remarkable. The ribs are constructed at varying lengths to create a realistic rib "cage," and the dark-colored bricks cleverly create shadows that highlight the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, enhancing its appeal and showcasing LEGO's craftsmanship.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

168 Images

My childhood fascination with dinosaurs was reignited each time I visited the American Museum of Natural History, where the towering T-Rex skeleton always stood out. Later, Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" captured the awe of encountering such a colossal creature with this vivid description:

"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."

Growing up, many of us were led to believe that the T-Rex stood upright with its tail dragging on the ground:

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 photo above is of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found at 90%. Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson, this find revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's appearance and life. Notably, the tiny bones called *gastralia* support the T-Rex's belly and aid in breathing, a detail initially omitted from public displays.

Source: Universal Pictures

The T-Rex from the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects an outdated view of dinosaurs. While it's more horizontally positioned, it lacks the updated understanding of the T-Rex's heftier build, now known to weigh nine to ten tons thanks to the discovery of the gastralia.

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

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

It's chubbier and perhaps more endearing than we once thought, isn't it?

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects these scientific updates, maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal positioning. Though it doesn't include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, diverging from the lean, efficient killer 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. You start by building the black stand, followed by the T-Rex's backbone, which attaches to vertical supports. The rest of the model then hangs onto this structure. The assembly continues with the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. While the legs and torso are fixed, the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.

Measuring nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model demands significant space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table, rather than a shelf between other items. Choose a location that honors its grandeur.

Officially part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, placed in front of the fossil on a stand with a Jurassic Park logo placard. However, this tie-in feels somewhat forced, especially since the set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' lacks any direct movie reference. LEGO even provides an option in the instructions to disconnect the minifigure and placard display, allowing the skeleton to stand alone, highlighting its standalone appeal over its franchise connection.

Indeed, the T-Rex's impressive size, scope, and price point mean it sells itself, much like the LEGO Titanic set. It stands as a testament to LEGO's dedication to detail and accuracy, transcending mere movie memorabilia to become a significant and classy display piece.

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