Though I’ve been amassing toy dinosaurs for over 15 years my solely representatives of the second dinosaur described by science have been the 1961 Marx, 1980 Invicta, and 1992 Carnegie Assortment Iguanodon figures. It’s a considerably embarrassing confession however let me clarify myself. Shortly after its launch I very practically purchased the Safari Iguanodon. I had it in-hand in a checkout line, however the line was transferring too slowly, and I had a bus to catch. I deserted it and by no means pursued it once more. It was a bit too small anyway. I then deliberate to get the CollectA Iguanodon however as time handed with out buying it, I grew to dislike its svelte construct. Papo additionally launched an Iguanodon, however the unsettling articulated jaw jogged my memory of a ventriloquist dummy and so it was by no means an choice for my assortment. Most not too long ago, PNSO launched one, however as a part of their museum line I thought of it too costly. So the years ticked by, providing varied Iguanodon toys, that simply didn’t pan out for some purpose or different. When Haolonggood introduced theirs in 2025, I used to be dedicated to lastly getting an Iguanodon on my shelf that wasn’t over 30 years outdated.
After all, the Haolonggood Iguanodon is just not with out its flaws. It wins factors with its measurement and bulk, excessive stage of element, complicated paintjob, and reasonably priced worth, nevertheless it has some uncommon anatomical anomalies. Evidently when selecting Iguanodon figures, compromises should be made, it doesn’t matter what your desire. The determine’s most perplexing and offensive inaccuracy is the addition of a spiked claw on its fifth digit. The precise Iguanodon had a protracted, slender, and prehensile fifth digit. It was seemingly tailored for greedy meals, however Haolonggood gave it a spike, just like the one on its thumb! An enormous oversight for positive however given the small measurement of the digit, simple to disregard. Moreover, the tail is a bit too sinuous in form contemplating Iguanodon had a tail that was stiffened by ossified tendons. It was seemingly incapable of the diploma of movement depicted right here.
The form of the top has additionally been the topic of a lot debate and dialogue. Haolonggood has given their Iguanodon a roman nostril of kinds, and though some Iguanodon specimens present a shallow bump over the nasals the one on this determine is extra suggestive of one thing like Muttaburrasaurus or Kritosaurus. In each different respect it is a first rate Iguanodon cranium although, being deep and boxy, and for me it’s simple to wave the roman nostril off as gentle tissue or as a cranium form distinctive to this particular person. In any case, the PNSO Iguanodon is basically agreed upon to have a cranium that matches higher to Mantellisaurus in order I mentioned beforehand, compromises should be made with any Iguanodon you select.
What this determine lacks in accuracy it greater than makes up for in poise and shelf presence. The determine has a draft horse like high quality in its burly construct and swish pose. The arms are appropriately giant and sturdy, which for an Iguanodon determine is extra necessary than the inaccuracies I discussed earlier. The determine is confidently striding ahead with the top lifted excessive and searching leftward. The precise arm is ahead of the left and the forelimbs are supported by three digits on every. The tail gently curves down and leftward, with the tip curving again up and in the direction of the proper, and the tip dipping again down once more. Though the curves within the tail are unlikely, they’re nonetheless beautiful.
The size element on the determine is so wonderful that it’s nearly non-existent and makes the toy really feel clean in locations, however it’s certainly there, even when you must squint to see it. This can be a good factor, as the person scales on dinosaur pores and skin impressions are exceptionally small. There are some bigger scales in locations, resembling alongside the forehead, across the orbits, clustered alongside the rear of the mandibles, and as scutes on the toes. A ridge of raised scutes runs down the midline of the again and are tallest over the hips and tail base.
Pores and skin creases and free, saggy pores and skin is sculpted the place applicable, resembling alongside the nape, underside of the neck, across the limb joints, and alongside the decrease torso. The limbs are properly muscled and supported by thickly padded fingers and ft. All bodily orifices are current. The beak has a layered, keratinous texture to it. And in the event you’re considering that you may merely repaint that wrong fifth digit it is best to know that it’s sculpted clean, like the remainder of the claws.
The determine measures 11” (27.94 cm) lengthy and stands 4.25” (10.8 cm) tall on the prime of the top. Measuring the determine alongside its curves offers us a size of 12” (30.48 cm). The precise I. bernissartensis is estimated to have reached a size of 30’ (9 meters), placing the determine at 1/30 in scale. Some specimens counsel a size of 36’ (11 meters) and utilizing that size places the determine at 1/36 in scale.
The Haolonggood Iguanodon comes with two totally different paintjobs. The one I’ve, Tao Zong Wang, is decked out in oranges and browns whereas the opposite, Zheng Tian Shou, sports activities blues and grays. As a result of the latter so intently resembled my Haolonggood Saurolophus I made a decision to go along with Tao Zong Wang. Zheng Tian Shou has a excessive distinction paintjob that I like however this one finally felt extra pure wanting, with extra refined complexities within the paintjob, and likewise doesn’t have these damned squiggles that the blue variant has.
The bottom shade here’s a mix of assorted orange tones with peach blended in alongside the underside and a few hints of purple alongside the flanks. The brown “stripes” alongside the again are literally clusters of small blotches and speckles, which I take pleasure in loads. There are a couple of strong bands of brown on the finish of the tail, which is in any other case vibrant orange. Beneficiant speckling is painted all through and creates a visually attention-grabbing, reticulated sample over the thighs. The scutes alongside the again are picked out in darkish brown, vibrant orange runs alongside the nasal bump and brows, the beak is brown, the eyes are yellow with black pupils, and the claws are darkish grey. The fingers and ft are darkish grey with a lighter grey wash that makes them seem as in the event that they’re caked in dust and dirt.
Regardless of some odd anatomical selections the Haolonggood Iguanodon is a phenomenal mannequin that has loads going for it, and I feel some accuracy pendants have been too arduous on it. After all, I are typically forgiving of small inaccuracies if the mannequin in any other case impresses and this one definitely does. I’m completely happy to have the Haolonggood Iguanodon as the fashionable instance of the genus in my assortment.
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