We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Most Impressive Skeleton Model in 68 Million Years

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 intricate detail becomes even more apparent: the precisely varied lengths of the ribs forming a realistic rib cage, and the clever use of dark bricks to create shadows that highlight the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its complexity, the build is surprisingly manageable, making its impressive intricacy all the more rewarding.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

^{$249.99 at LEGO Store}

My childhood fascination with dinosaurs, particularly the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History, was reignited while reading Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder." Bradbury's evocative 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 magnificent creatures.

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For years, the popular image of the T-Rex was an upright posture with a dragging tail, as depicted in:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex is now understood to have held a more horizontal posture, with its tail acting as a counterbalance, as seen in the more accurate depiction of "Sue":

Source: Field Museum

The discovery of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found (90%), revolutionized our understanding. The discovery of *gastralia*, bones lining the belly and supporting breathing, revealed a much heavier, "barrel-chested" creature than previously imagined (nine to ten tons, not five to seven).

Source: Universal Pictures

Compare this to the leaner depiction in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park*, reflecting the outdated understanding of the time. The most up-to-date, accurate representation, based on Sue's bones, showcases a chubbier, more realistic T-Rex:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO set accurately reflects this updated understanding, showcasing the horizontal posture. While it doesn't include gastralia, the ribcage suggests a barrel-chested build, unlike the leaner depictions in fiction. The arms are positioned forward, mirroring the current Field Museum display. The model, assembled from 25 sealed bags, is built in stages: stand, backbone, neck, legs/hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are posable.

At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this impressive model demands a prominent display location. A wide, flat surface is ideal; consider a dresser or coffee table, but avoid shelves.

While technically part of the LEGO Jurassic Park franchise, the inclusion of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler minifigures from the first film feels somewhat forced. The set's name, "Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex," lacks a direct movie tie-in, and instructions even allow removal of the minifigures and placard, highlighting the somewhat superfluous nature of this connection. However, the sheer size, scope, and inherent quality of the model transcend the need for movie synergy. This is a classy, standalone piece, akin to the LEGO Titanic, needing no additional characters to enhance its magnificence. Think of it not as movie memorabilia, but as a magnificent, accurate representation of a prehistoric giant.