The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, a LEGO Store exclusive, is a breathtakingly ambitious build. Its sheer size is immediately striking; this is a meticulously detailed 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex. Upon closer inspection, the level of detail is astounding. Notice the cleverly varied lengths of the ribs forming the ribcage, and how the use of dark and light bricks creates realistic shadows and highlights, enhancing the bone-like appearance. Despite its intricate appearance, the build is surprisingly straightforward, making its impressive complexity all the more remarkable.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
$249.99 at LEGO Store
Building the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex
168 Images
My childhood fascination with dinosaurs, particularly the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History, was reignited by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder." His vivid description—"It came on great oiled, resilient, striding legs. It towered thirty feet above half of the trees, a great evil god…"—perfectly captures the awe-inspiring scale of these creatures.
For years, the popular depiction of the T-Rex was an upright posture with a dragging tail, as seen in this image:
However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex, contrary to earlier beliefs, held a more horizontal posture, its tail acting as a counterbalance, as exemplified by "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever discovered (90% complete):
The discovery of Sue, including the previously unknown *gastralia* (belly ribs), revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy and weight. The lean depiction in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* is now outdated:
Modern scientific understanding reveals a heavier, "barrel-chested" T-Rex:
The LEGO model accurately reflects this updated understanding, showcasing the horizontal posture. While it omits the *gastralia*, the ribcage suggests a more robust build. The forward-facing arms align with the current Sue display at the Field Museum. The set, comprised of 25 sealed bags, is assembled in stages: the stand, backbone, neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The head, tail, and arms are posable.
At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this model demands a prominent display location. A large, flat surface is recommended.
The set includes two minifigures (Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original *Jurassic Park*) and a Jurassic Park-branded placard, although this tie-in feels somewhat forced. The instruction booklet even allows for detaching the minifigures and placard, highlighting the model's inherent magnificence independent of the movie franchise. This impressive build stands on its own merits, akin to the LEGO Titanic set, needing no movie tie-in to enhance its appeal.
LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex (Set #10335), retailing at $269.99 and containing 3011 pieces, is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
More Sets From LEGO Jurassic Park Collection:
LEGO T. rex Skull
See it at Amazon
LEGO Jurassic Park Visitor Center
See it at Amazon
LEGO Triceratops Skull
See it at Amazon
LEGO Little Eatie T Rex
See it at Amazon
LEGO Creator 3 in 1 T. Rex
See it at Amazon
