LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Building the Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Model

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, exclusively available at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that immediately captivates with its size. This set is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, offering an impressive representation of this iconic dinosaur.

### LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

19$249.99 at LEGO StoreUpon closer inspection, the detail is truly remarkable. The set features ribs built at varying lengths to create a realistic rib "cage," and the use of dark-colored bricks adds depth, creating shadows that enhance the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which only adds to its allure.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

168 ImagesFor those who grew up fascinated by dinosaurs, the T-Rex's skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History always stood out for its towering presence. This fascination was further fueled by literature, such as Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," which vividly describes the awe-inspiring nature of the T-Rex:

"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."

Historically, many believed the T-Rex stood upright with its tail dragging on the ground, as depicted in early museum displays and popular media:

However, modern scientific understanding has shifted this perception. The T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance to its head:

The discovery of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found (90%), revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy. "Sue" revealed the presence of gastralia, small bones that supported the T-Rex's breathing and lined its belly:

Earlier depictions, such as those in the 1993 film Jurassic Park, showed a leaner T-Rex. However, with the discovery of the gastralia, we now know that the T-Rex was much heavier, weighing nine to ten tons rather than the previously estimated five to seven tons:

This updated understanding is reflected in the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, which accurately positions the T-Rex horizontally. Although it does not include the gastralia, the rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, more in line with current scientific views. The set's arms are also positioned forward, consistent with the updated display of "Sue" at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set comes in 25 sealed plastic bags, guiding builders through the construction process. You start by assembling the black stand, followed by the T-Rex's backbone, which attaches to vertical supports. The rest of the model, including the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and head, are then added, with the legs and torso locked in place while the arms, head, and tail remain adjustable.

At nearly three-and-a-half feet long from tip to tail, this model is a significant piece that requires ample space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table, where it can truly dominate the space it occupies.

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set is technically part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, which is why the final bag includes two minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park branded placard. However, this franchise tie-in feels somewhat forced, as the set's name and instructions even offer an option to remove the minifigure and placard display, allowing the skeleton to stand alone:

This LEGO set, with its size, scope, and price, stands on its own merit, much like the LEGO Titanic build. It doesn't rely on movie memorabilia to sell; its impressive design and detailed construction are more than enough to captivate enthusiasts.

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

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