I bought into the dinosaur gathering pastime round 2010, and from then till 2023 the 1974 Invicta Megalosaurus stood as the only real consultant of the primary dinosaur described by science in my assortment. For disgrace! However 2023 noticed the discharge of the PNSO Megalosaurus and my thirst for a contemporary determine of this necessary animal was quenched. Positive, it had the funky uncovered tooth and drab brown paintjob of most PNSO theropods however after ready 13 years I wasn’t going to be choosy. Afterall, who knew when the following good Megalosaurus was going to come back round? To my shock, it was a 12 months later. This pastime might be an unpredictable one!
I strive to not repeat genera too typically in my assortment, however the Safari Ltd. Megalosaurus proved so distinctive and totally different from PNSO’s that I made a decision my assortment might accommodate one other consultant of the good lizard. Once more, after ready 13 years for an excellent Megalosaurus I couldn’t say no to a different glorious mannequin of a genus I waited so lengthy for. On prime of that, the Safari Megalosaurus is the primary determine within the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Assortment from a brand-new artist, and I felt that I ought to present them some help.
The Safari Megalosaurus was sculpted by digital sculptor Kieran, whose final title stays unknown however is goes by Hellbender Museum throughout the online (Etsy, Instagram, and so forth.). Kieran’s contemporary confronted Megalosaurus brings a complete new look to Safari’s vary of figures and represents a breath of contemporary air. That’s to not say his fashion is healthier than Safari veteran Doug Watson’s, that man is a legend, however it’s one thing new and thrilling and I take pleasure in seeing totally different artwork kinds from the businesses I accumulate.
The Wild Safari Megalosaurus stands 3.5” (8.89 cm) tall to the highest of the pinnacle and measures about 9.5” (24.13 cm) lengthy when measured alongside its varied curves. Megalosaurus is estimated to have measured between 20-30’ (6-9 meters) which might put this determine at 1/25-1/37 in scale. We’ll simply say that it’s in 1/35 scale, like PNSO’s.
The determine is offered in a tripod pose, with the tip of the tail touching the bottom. The again is angled upward with the pinnacle lifted excessive, jaws agape, and looking out rightward. It has a Carnegie throwback form of vibe. Curiously although, it doesn’t want its tail for help. The determine stands effective on simply its toes. I bear in mind again throughout Carnegie’s twilight years collectors have been getting sick of tripod poses however I suppose sufficient time has handed that the occasional tripod mannequin is simpler to abdomen.
The main points, anatomy, and paintjob can all be described as crisp. The element work is so effective that the mannequin seems clean. Shut examination reveals a largely wrinkled conceal, with faint function scales throughout the physique, and scutes alongside the toes. On this means, it’s not too totally different from PNSO’s Megalosaurus. Though I’ve at all times appreciated the dimensions element of Safari’s dinosaurs the truth is that at a dimension this small, the dimensions element would vanish. In life, many of the scales masking the our bodies of most dinosaurs measured a few millimeter large every.
The determine is lean and muscular. Thick pores and skin folds run down the neck and alongside the torso and limb joints. The top is appropriately rectangular with a squared off muzzle. The tooth are finely sculpted and individually well-defined inside a lipped mouth however these within the decrease jaw might have suffered a bit within the molding course of. The muscular arms hold down alongside the edges and possess effectively outlined digits and claws, with the primary claw being the biggest. All bodily orifices are current. Though we don’t have an entire skeleton of Megalosaurus we do have materials from different megalosaurs, like Torvosaurus and Wiehenvenator, which helps informs what Megalosaurus regarded like. This determine conforms to the megalosaur physique plan effectively.
My solely criticism relating to the anatomy is that the toes look too skinny and bony. An animal this huge would wish some additional padding, even comparatively small ratites have effectively padded toes. These toes, together with the determine’s smoothness, remind me of Safari figures from the late 2000’s. Wonderful figures whose sculptor stays a thriller.
It’s price speaking concerning the materials used for this determine as a result of it’s not like every other Safari determine that I personal. Latest figures just like the Baryonyx and Albertosaurus have a tough and virtually brittle really feel to them. Certainly, some people have by chance snapped items of these figures off! This determine is stiff however rubbery, with a waxy texture. It feels much like figures by Schleich or Battat. It must be extra little one pleasant than these aforementioned Safari figures.
The paintjob is without doubt one of the determine’s standout options. The determine is generally grey with a touch of olive inexperienced. Darkish bands run down the again and the underside is paler than elsewhere. On the pinnacle you get darkish bands that run from the orbits down alongside the neck. The legs and arms beneath the knees are black. The throat and stomach are vibrant pink. The eyes are yellow with black pupils, the within of the mouth is pink, and the tooth are white. Other than some sloppy paint utility on the tooth and barely misaligned pupils, the paintjob is clear, vibrant, and effectively blended.
Though stripes and bands are a bit overdone on dinosaur toys this determine’s mixture of colours makes it distinctive and visually charming. Naturalistic, however not like every other dinosaur toy that I’m conscious of. The grays and greens, damaged up by banding, would make for efficient camouflage. The pink chest serves as a surprising show function that’s in a spot that shouldn’t compromise the animal while on the hunt.
The Safari Megalosaurus is likely to be a recreation changer for Safari Ltd., using the refined look that has made fashions by PNSO and Haolonggood so widespread, it’s simply one among Safari’s most spectacular figures to this point. Certainly, I really choose it over PNSO’s Megalosaurus, due to the addition of lips and a particular paintjob. Present Safari and their new artist some help by including this Megalosaurus to your assortment. It’s at the moment out there on-line and retails for about $16.49, roughly half the value of PNSO’s!
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