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 captivates from the moment you see it. The sheer size of this 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex is awe-inspiring.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

Priced at $249.99 at the LEGO Store, the set's detail is remarkable. The ribs are crafted at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the dark-colored bricks enhance the shadow effect, highlighting the light-colored "bone" bricks for a dramatic contrast. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, making its complexity even more impressive.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

168 Images

Growing up fascinated by dinosaurs, I was always struck by the towering skeleton of the T-Rex at the American Museum of Natural History. This fascination was further fueled by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," a sci-fi short story that vividly captures the awe of encountering such a massive 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 of us, the traditional image of a T-Rex was one standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific understanding has evolved. We now know the T-Rex stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance:

Source: Field Museum

The above image showcases "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton discovered, at 90% completeness. When Sue Hendrickson found it in 1990, it changed our understanding of T-Rex anatomy. The small bones in the belly region, known as gastralia, were initially omitted from displays but are now recognized as supporting the dinosaur's breathing.

Source: Universal Pictures

This image from the 1993 film Jurassic Park reflects outdated views, showing a lean T-Rex. Modern science, thanks to discoveries like the gastralia, suggests a heavier build of nine to ten tons, with a more substantial belly.

Our most accurate depiction of a T-Rex, based on Sue's bones, shows a chubbier, more realistic figure:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this updated scientific understanding with its horizontal positioning. Though it does not include the gastralia, the rib structure suggests a "barrel-chested" T-Rex, distinct from the lean portrayals in popular fiction. The set's arms are positioned forward, consistent with the latest findings.

Comprising 25 sealed plastic bags, assembly begins with the black stand, followed by the backbone, which is attached to vertical supports. The rest of the model, including the neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and head, is built sequentially. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are adjustable.

At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this model demands significant space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table, ensuring it can command the attention it deserves.

Part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park-branded placard. However, this connection feels somewhat forced. The set's name, 'Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex,' lacks any direct movie reference, and the instruction booklet even offers an option to remove the minifigures and placard, allowing the skeleton to stand alone.

This disconnect underscores that the T-Rex's appeal lies in its impressive size, scope, and price, not in its movie tie-ins. Like the LEGO Titanic set, this model stands out on its own merit, not as mere movie memorabilia.

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