The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious project. Upon first glance, you're struck by its impressive size; this model replicates a real T-Rex at a 1:12 scale.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
$249.99 at LEGO Store
A closer inspection reveals the meticulous detail in this set. The ribs are constructed at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks adds shadows that enhance the visibility of the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly straightforward to assemble, making its detailed design even more remarkable.
We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex
168 Images
As someone who adored dinosaurs in childhood, visits to the American Museum of Natural History always left a lasting impression, especially the towering T-Rex skeleton. Later, Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" further fueled my fascination with its vivid depiction of the creature:
"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."
For many years, the popular image of the T-Rex was an upright stance with its tail dragging on the ground:
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:
The above image showcases "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found at 90% completeness. Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson, this find transformed our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. The small bones near the T-Rex's belly, known as *gastralia*, were initially omitted from public displays due to uncertainty about their placement. We now know they supported the T-Rex's breathing and contributed to its bulk.
The T-Rex from the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects an outdated view but is more horizontally accurate than earlier depictions. With the discovery of the gastralia, we now understand the T-Rex to be heavier, weighing nine to ten tons with a larger belly, rather than the previously estimated five to seven tons.
The most up-to-date and accurate model of a T-Rex, based on Sue's bones, reveals a more robust and endearing creature:
The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects these modern scientific findings with its horizontal positioning. Although it omits the gastralia, its rib design suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, and the arms are positioned forward, aligning with the updated "Sue" display at the Field Museum in Chicago.
The set includes 25 sealed plastic bags, starting with the construction of the black stand. The assembly progresses through the backbone, neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally the head. The legs and torso are fixed, while the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.
Spanning nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model requires significant space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table, rather than squeezed between shelves. Choose a location that highlights its grandeur.
Officially part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, positioned in front of the fossil on a stand with a Jurassic Park logo. However, the inclusion feels somewhat forced. The set's name and the option to remove the minifigure and placard display highlight this disconnect. This T-Rex's size, scope, and price mean it stands on its own merit, much like the LEGO Titanic set, which doesn't rely on movie tie-ins.
The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, is priced at $269.99 and consists of 3011 pieces, 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
