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LEGO Dinosaurs: Building the Ultimate T-Rex Fossil Model

by Chloe Apr 23,2025

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that captures the imagination of both dinosaur enthusiasts and LEGO aficionados. At a 1:12 scale, this model replicates the awe-inspiring size of a real T-Rex, making it a centerpiece for any collection.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the level of detail becomes evident. The ribs are meticulously crafted at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks creates shadows that enhance the visibility of the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly straightforward to assemble, which only adds to its impressive allure.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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As a child, my fascination with dinosaurs was ignited by visits to the American Museum of Natural History, where the towering skeleton of a T-Rex always left a lasting impression. Later, reading Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" further fueled my awe, with its vivid description 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."

For many years, the popular image of the T-Rex was of it standing upright with its tail dragging, as depicted in early museum displays and popular culture:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, recent scientific findings have revised this view. The T-Rex is now known to have stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance, as shown in the updated display of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton found:

Source: Field Museum

The discovery of "Sue" by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990 revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex. The presence of gastralia, the small bones supporting the T-Rex's belly, was a significant find, initially omitted from displays due to uncertainty about their placement. These bones have since clarified that the T-Rex was much heavier, around nine to ten tons, with a substantial belly:

Source: Universal Pictures

The 1993 film *Jurassic Park* depicted a more horizontal T-Rex, reflecting early corrections in scientific understanding, yet still portrayed it as leaner than the updated models:

The most accurate depiction to date, based on Sue's bones, shows a chubbier and more realistic T-Rex:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this modern understanding, maintaining the horizontal positioning of the T-Rex. While it does not include the gastralia, the rib structure suggests a "barrel-chested" build, more aligned with current scientific views. The set's design, with forward-positioned arms, mirrors the updated "Sue" display at the Field Museum.

Comprising 25 sealed plastic bags, the build process starts with the black stand, followed by the backbone, neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally the head. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are posable, allowing for dynamic display options.

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, where it can command attention and showcase its magnificence.

Although 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 logo placard. However, these elements feel somewhat out of place. The set's name and the option to remove the minifigure display underscore its focus on the T-Rex itself, rather than the movie tie-in.

The inclusion of these elements seems superfluous for a set of this caliber, size, and price. Like the LEGO Titanic, this T-Rex model stands on its own merit, without needing the added movie memorabilia. It is a testament to LEGO's ability to create engaging, educational, and visually striking models.

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