We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Most Impressive Skeleton Model in 68 Million Years

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, a LEGO Store exclusive, is a breathtakingly ambitious build. Its sheer size is immediately striking; this is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex. Upon closer inspection, the intricate detailing is truly impressive. Notice the meticulously crafted rib cage with ribs of varying lengths, and how the use of dark and light bricks creates stunning shadow and highlight effects, making the "bones" pop. Despite its complexity, the build is surprisingly straightforward, making the final product even more remarkable.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Building the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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My childhood fascination with dinosaurs, particularly the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History, was reignited by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder." The passage describing the creature's immense size perfectly captured the awe-inspiring scale: *"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 years, the common depiction of the T-Rex was upright, tail dragging:

However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex is now understood to have held its spine parallel to the ground, its tail acting as a counterbalance, as seen in the "Sue" skeleton at the Field Museum:

The discovery of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex fossil (90%), revealed *gastralia*—small bones lining the belly—which significantly altered our understanding of the T-Rex's weight and physique. Compare the lean depiction in the 1993 *Jurassic Park* film:

to the more accurate, heavier, "barrel-chested" representation based on current scientific knowledge:

The LEGO T-Rex accurately reflects this updated understanding, showcasing the horizontal posture. While gastralia aren't included, the ribcage suggests a more robust build. The arms are positioned forward, mirroring the current Field Museum display.

The set comprises 25 sealed bags. Construction begins with the stand, followed by the backbone, neck, legs, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. Legs and torso are fixed, but the head, arms, and tail are posable.

At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this model demands a prominent display location. A wide, flat surface is recommended.

This set, technically part of the LEGO Jurassic Park franchise, includes Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler minifigures and a Jurassic Park-branded placard. However, this tie-in feels somewhat forced, especially considering the minifigures are from the original *Jurassic Park*, not *Jurassic World*. The set's name, "Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex," also lacks a direct movie reference. The instructions even allow for detaching the minifigures and placard, highlighting the somewhat superfluous nature of the Jurassic Park branding. This magnificent model's inherent appeal transcends the need for such tie-ins, standing on its own merit, much like the LEGO Titanic.

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex (Set #10335), retailing at $269.99 and containing 3011 pieces, is exclusively available at the LEGO Store.

More Sets From the LEGO Jurassic Park Collection:

LEGO T. rex Skull

LEGO Jurassic Park Visitor Center

LEGO Triceratops Skull

LEGO Little Eatie T Rex

LEGO Creator 3 in 1 T. Rex