Whereas firms like PNSO and Haolonggood could be in vogue as of late there are some niches which are nonetheless dominated by the outdated standbys. Within the case of dromaeosaurs, Safari is the one firm that’s persistently delivering correct figures of our favourite maniraptoriformes. Any 12 months that sees the announcement of a brand new Doug Watson sculpted dromaeosaur is one to be celebrated. And whereas firms like CollectA could dabble in dromaeosaurs (with their latest Velociraptor) it’s clear that solely Mr. Watson appears to know find out how to restore dromaeosaurs in a convincingly birdy manner. At the moment we’re trying on the Wild Safari Austroraptor, new for 2024.
Austroraptor lived in the course of the late Cretaceous in what’s now Argentina. It was described in 2008 and is thought from two specimens, each fragmentary skeletons that protect a good quantity of cranium and leg materials, amongst different ins and outs. Austroraptor is attention-grabbing in that it has an elongated cranium containing non-serrated, conical tooth, like a spinosaurid, which has led to hypothesis that they could have preyed totally on fish. This piscivorous conduct was proven within the documentary, Prehistoric Planet. In addition they had brief forelimbs for a dromaeosaur and present variations of their hindlimbs for working. These options are additionally shared by different members of the Unenlagiinae subfamily, which some regard as its circle of relatives separate from Dromaeosauridae.
Austroraptor is among the largest identified dromaeosaurs, with an estimated size of 16-20’ (5-6 meters). The Safari Austroraptor measures about 9.5” (24.13 cm) and stands 3.5” (8.89 cm) tall to the highest of the pinnacle. This places it within the 1/20-1/25 scale vary. The determine is offered in a static pose, with its mouth open and looking out rightward. The tail has a mild downward curve with the tip touching the bottom, permitting the determine to face soundly.
The feathers are held near the physique on this one, with out as a lot fluff obscuring the underlying anatomy as Doug Watson’s earlier dromaeosaurs. That is most evident on the neck, and it offers the determine a heron-like silhouette, which is suitable if we’re to imagine Austroraptor was searching in aquatic habitats. A hoopoe-like crest is sculpted on prime of the pinnacle, so I suppose this determine brings just a few completely different birds to thoughts.
The element work is beautiful, as needs to be anticipated. Pebbly scales are sculpted over the featherless parts of the physique: the snout and ft. And tarsal scutes are sculpted on the toes. The fingers are feathery, which is correct. Doug erroneously put scales on the fingers of his Velociraptor however each dromaeosaur since has appropriately included feathers on the fingers.
High-quality feathers are etched into the face and crest and are regularly changed by contour feathers over the physique. The forearms are correct wings, with feathers persevering with down the center finger, as they need to, and huge feathers run down the size of the tail. The feathers have a layered look and are splendidly textured, together with vanes alongside a central rachis on particular person feathers. These particulars are most straightforward to understand on the monochrome underside. The claws are all as refined and sharp as you would count on from a toy.
The determine is olive inexperienced dorsally, with white bands alongside the again, and a grey underside. The snout is grey, and the pinnacle is boring orange with the crest tipped in black. The wings are inexperienced, orange, and blue, and the tail feathers are tipped in blue. The ft are grey, and all of the claws are shiny black. The shiny eyes are shiny crimson with spherical, black pupils and encircled by white rings. The within of the mouth is pink, and the tooth are white. The paint software is first rate general, significantly on the tooth, which Safari typically struggles with. Doug Watson makes use of extant birds to affect his paintjobs, and it was the feminine blue pitta (Hydrornis cyaneus) that influenced this one.
The one nitpick I might muster up is with the pose, as a result of it feels a bit static and boring when in comparison with the elegant stroll we see with the Deinonychus. And I want closed mouths. That’s a nitpick if ever there was one although. Doug Watson’s mastery over dromaeosaurs can’t be understated and should you’re a fan of his previous efforts you’ll like this one too. Safari as soon as once more proves that in relation to dromaeosaur collectible figurines, they’re the ultimate. The Safari Austroraptor is presently out there and retails for about $20.
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