Collecta Gastonia Dinosaur Model Reviewed

Collecta have added a model of the American dinosaur known as Gastonia to their prehistoric animal model range. The company, based in the Far East, has built up a strong reputation for making dinosaur toys and figures and this new Gastonia armoured dinosaur is an excellent example of their craft.

The fossils of this plant-eating dinosaur that lived in the Cretaceous geological period were found in the same quarry as the formidable Dromaeosaur called Utahraptor. It is no wonder that this dinosaur was heavily armoured as it needed to be, to withstand attacks from packs of Utahraptors, the largest “raptor-like” dinosaurs known from the fossil record.

Heavily Armoured Dinosaur – Gastonia

At least four fossilised individuals have been described. As a result, Gastonia (G. burgei) is one of the best known of all the Early Cretaceous amoured dinosaurs and examples of reconstructions of this dinosaur can be seen in a number of museums in the United States. The genus name of this dinosaur honours Robert Gaston, an American palaeontologist who discovered the first bones of this prehistoric animal.

Gastonia Dinosaur Model

Measuring around thirteen centimetres in length this replica represents an animal that would have grown to be the length of a car and it would have weighed over a tonne. The model shows the sacral shield of armour over the hips and the rows of dangerous looking spikes and spines that covered this dinosaur’s wide body. The head is triangular in shape and the mouth and beak quite narrow. Scientists think that this dinosaur that lived around 125 million years ago was probably an unfussy browser of low growing plants.

Slow-Moving Herbivore

This heavily armoured dinosaur was probably quite slow-moving. It relied on its extensive armour to protect itself. The tail, which palaeontologists believe was lined with rows of triangular spines could have been swung backwards and forwards and would have made a formidable defensive weapon. The bony armour, spikes and scutes on the model have been very well created by the model making team. The paint colour is predominantly brown with occasional black stripes. The bony armour itself has been cleverly painted an ivory colour and there is lots of detail on the underside of the figure to be admired too.

Works Well with Other Collecta Replicas

This dinosaur model works well with other Collecta figures, including the Collecta Utahraptor dinosaur, so model fans can recreate a battle between this powerful herbivore and the fleet-footed, dangerous Utahraptor. All in all, this is a super, armoured dinosaur model and it is one of the best dinosaur models of its type on the market.

Mini Papo – The Dinosaurs Tub Reviewed

Papo, the model and figure manufacturer based in France has offered for some time sets of small replicas that mirror what is available in the company’s larger replica ranges. New for 2014, is a play set featuring six prehistoric animals, tough, robust models featuring famous members of the Dinosauria.

Supplied in a handy, plastic storage tub, the figures represent three herbivores and three carnivores. The largest figure, one that measures approximately eleven centimetres long and stands over eight centimetres tall, is that of the Jurassic Sauropod Brachiosaurus. This is one of the plant-eating Dinosauria figures. The other two plant-eaters are the equally well-known horned dinosaur Triceratops and the plated lizard – Stegosaurus.

Famous Meat-Eaters

The carnivorous dinosaurs are represented by a model of the speedy, ferocious Velociraptor, a sail-backed Spinosaurus and of course, the most famous dinosaur of all Tyrannosaurus rex. The Velociraptor figure is the smallest model in the six figure series. It measures a little over five centimetres long and stands around four and a half centimetres high. All the meat-eating dinosaurs are posed in a tripodal stance, that is their tails touch the ground. Whilst palaeontologists might think that this is no longer anatomically correct, this pose does permit the models to remain stable and to stand up without any bother at all.

Nicely Painted Figures

Each model has been skilfully painted and although lacking the exquisite detail of Papo’s larger prehistoric animal replicas, young dinosaur fans will still be enchanted by them as they are ideal for creative, imaginative play. We had a job deciding which of the figures was our favourite, it had to go to a vote in the end, but the fearsome Spinosaurus just shaded it over the cute looking Stegosaurus.

Replicas That Are Not to Scale

Given the size of these dinosaurs and the different types of dinosaur represented, it was not possible to create a scale model set. After all, the Brachiosauus would have been hundreds of times bigger than the turkey-sized Velociraptor. It was suggested that these models could represent the babies of the bigger prehistoric animal replicas made by Papo, as the French firm does have larger models of all six animals available, but we feel that this set stands on its own and offers terrific play value. These extinct creatures may have all lived at different times and in different parts of the world, but to a young child this does not matter. The models represent dinosaurs that they will be very familiar with and we are certain that a Cretaceous Spinosaurus is going to battle the plant-eating, Late Jurassic Stegosaurus on numerous occasions.

Recommended Toy Play Set

As these figures are just about the right size for a child to hold, as they stand so well and because of the dinosaurs featured, we think this item is going to prove very popular with young dinosaur fans. Papo have produced a quality dinosaur model set and it is highly recommended for children from three years and upwards.

About 65 million years ago, dinosaurs became extinct and humans did not exist until 2.5 million years ago. It means before humans were around dinosaurs became extinct. With the help of modern science and fossils, we are able to learn about the extinct dinosaurs. Museums store lots of fossils, but that fossil may be real or replicas, as original fossils are so rare and costly. Many museums have to rely on cast, but it does not mean it’s fake. There are lots of advantages of having replicas.

Dinosaurs always inspired me to write something about them. Fossils have fascinated peoples for thousands of years. Dinosaur fans are very excited to see Dinosaurs skeleton and some innovators worked to create realistic, high quality dinosaur fossil replicas. Replicas are now available in the market at affordable prices. Everyone should have a relic from the past and that’s why they are offering these fossil replicas to you.

This kind of work can help us to foster interest in science and the environment. I love innovations and specially related to Jurassic fossils. One of the most interesting things about Dinosaur skeleton is its assembling of its parts. They can help us to know more about the natural history of our planet. One of the main reasons why a museum or collector might have fossil replicas instead of real fossils is to protect the real fossils. Most of the real fossils are so fragile and heavy that displaying them in museums may cause damage.

A team works in the field of high quality 3D design to provide realistic, high quality dinosaur fossils. Just imagine the scene when you’ve your own Dinosaur replica at your home. Some of the best things about replicas includes affordable price, lightweight, no need to pay attention only normal care and will provide many years of highly conversational pleasure in any home, office or study.

The component in Jurassic fossils uses 3D printers to create high quality so that it resembles the real skeletons that were shown on large museums. The T.Rex will also maintain the sturdy and affordability. The main advantage of replica is most of us can’t afford to get real fossil, but can only enjoy in museums and books. With fossil replicas anyone can enhance their own fossils and can learn from direct handling and examining of your own T.Rex.

As lots of people faced dissatisfactions while getting dinosaur fossils, it may be due to its high cost or rear availability of fossils. To overcome this issue, there are many teams working to provide high quality dinosaur fossils that resemble the real skeletons and also at an affordable price.

A Review of the Mini Dinosaurs Stegosaurus Dinosaur Book

It is often quite a task to find a suitable dinosaur book for kids, when looking for something to help them with their reading. Many parents try to encourage young children to develop a love of books by encouraging them to read books about subjects that they have a natural affinity for. Many children under three years of age develop an interest in and a fascination for dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, so finding a book about dinosaurs aimed especially at their age group can be a real boon for parents. The Mini Dinosaurs Stegosaurus book is a delightful little hardback that ticks all the boxes as far as parents and very young dinosaur fans are concerned. After all, a book that features a purple Stegosaurus is bound to be well received by very young palaeontologists.

Part of a Set of Dinosaur Reading Books aimed at Very Young Children

This book is part of a set of dinosaur inspired books all aimed at children from approximately three years of age and upwards. As the pages are turned a question about the dinosaur Stegosaurus is presented. The text is printed in a very clear, large, black font so very young children can easily make out the words and work out what the sentence is. Parents and grandparents can read through the book with their young charges, turning the pages to discover what questions are being posed about this particular armoured dinosaur from the Late Jurassic. The answers can be found by lifting a flap, part of the animal’s body such as the plate covered back, the legs or the famous tail with its set of spikes on its end. The adult can read through the book with the child, lifting the flap to reveal the answer to the question posed on that page about Stegosaurus. For instance, one of the questions presented is why did Stegosaurus have big feet? By lifting up the front leg of the picture of the Stegosaurus on that page, the answer is revealed. There is even a little more information to be found on the inside face of each answer flap, this helps the grown-up to explain the answer to the child and provides some facts about Stegosaurus to support the information given.

A Purple Stegosaurus

The bright purple, friendly Stegosaurus certainly appeals to very young children, and the tough hardback cover means that the book can be wiped clean should any sticky hands touch it. The spine of the book is quite thick and this makes it easy to grip, especially helpful when young children try to use the book on their own. Best of all, in the final section of this book there is a large, purple Stegosaurus cut-out for the children to unfold. By pulling the middle portion of the Stegosaurus drawing towards them and unfurling the tail a large stand-up drawing of a Stegosaurus is revealed.

A Well-designed Dinosaur Book For Young Readers

The book has been carefully thought about by the design team and the publishers and it makes an ideal “my first dinosaur book” for a budding dinosaur enthusiast. The simple layout and easy to read text will encourage children with their reading and word recognition and the fun questions and answers are based on what scientists think they know about this long extinct member of the Dinosauria. Recommended for children from three years plus, a very suitable dinosaur book for kids.