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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 1:39:58 GMT
Evening all, Just dropping by to say hi. I've been a bit of a dinosaur head since my childhood in the 70's! As a kid I collected dinosaur models, toys and books .......... especially the old British Museum unpainted plastic figures and the old Aurora model kits ....... all long gone sadly (I miss that Aurora Allosaurus!). I was trawling Ebay a couple of months back looking to see if the Aurora kits were still out there when I came accross a few dino toys and was amazed at how good some of them are now. It wasn't long before a Papo TRex arrived by post! I somehow stumbled accross this forum which has been brilliant in helping me choose figures (so many though!). It's really difficult to judge what to buy from shop sites and ....... I'm really fussy! Sadly, there are no independent toy shops here anymore that would have stocked such things.  I really don't like 'tiny' figures and I'm really allergic to anything that looks cheap and nasty or too kidified. I prefer the toys that really are closer to being 'replica' models I guess but without the expense of something that would be marketed as such. I'm also a bit retro in my tastes in that I'm none too keen on the 'whippy looking' modern take on dinos and am also quite bemused by arguments over accuracy, bearing in mind that some of these toys are based on animals where only a bag of vertebrae exist. If it looks right and doesn't look like it was cast from a jelly mould or finished by a club fingered drunkard that's fine by me! So far I've been really impressed with: Papo TRex (although there seems to be a fanatical hatred of it in some quarters!), Schleich TRex (the 1:40 100 year anniversary figure) - A really nice retro portrayal, Bullyland Allosaurus (Museum Line) Procon's 1:40 Baryonyx. The only 'dud' I've bought so far is the Safari Carnegie TRex - great pose but apalling finish ........ the eyes aren't even level  . That figure has put me off of the entire line and I'm undecided now over whether or not to go for the Carnegie Giganotosaurus. I really can't be bothered with small figures, I guess the Allosaurus is as small as I'll go (for now at least). I'm also quite enamoured by the Carnage action figures and have the TRex, Velociraptor and Styracosaurus. Not sure where I'll go from here, I have a shopping list ;D but quite a few figures are difficult to source in the UK and buying from the US or Japan is expensive. The recent figure walk arounds posted have been really usefull to me, I'd originally written off the Kinto/Favourite figures as they look like they have awfull split lines on the shop sites .............. might try a couple next month  Oh, I can't get my head around the fascination with Battat figures, I must be missing something there. Is that a 'nostalgia' toy? Keep up the good work and never take anything too seriously. John. |
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Post by therizinosaurus on Jan 9, 2009 1:50:05 GMT
Hi there John! Welcome, I'm glad you found the forum.  Don't be turned off by the Carnegie rex, there are 2 mold versions, I good and one bad. I guess you got unlucky. Carnegies, as a whole, are very nice. As for the Battat fascination, I'm going to create a post later to give my opinion. Battats, as a whole, are probably the best line ever. They are not nostalgic and are still scientifically accurate. They are also collectible because they are so rare. Good luck ever getting a Diplo for under $200. Don't say you don't understand them until you seen every figure. theri |
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Post by Ajax on Jan 9, 2009 2:03:43 GMT
Hi John & Welcom. I also recently discovered dinosaurs again after collecting during the 80's and was surprised how many and how good the toys are now, The Carneige line has its own style which i didn't like at first but now after i have bought a few i really like them, Im surprised you didn't like the Rex as i just got mine days ago and really like it even though it was second-hand and had paint missing. The Carneige Sauropods are really nice if they interest you at all.
As for the Papo's i think they are amazing the Spino and Stego are my 2 favourites.
Enjoy the site and as you see more dino's im sure your want list will grow.
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Post by Tyrannax on Jan 9, 2009 2:05:49 GMT
Welcome to the forums my friend! |
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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 2:24:03 GMT
Hi Theri, thanks for the welcome.
So, two moulds of the Carnegie TRex, that's interesting. Is that a common practice amongst manufacturers? I must say that I cannot understand how mine passed through any sort of quality control. I've looked at a lot of the Carnegie range on line .......... most are too small for my taste I guess. The pose and proportions look good at first glance but on the sites that give you a close up, a lot of the detail looks sloppy and that seems to be highlighted by bad paint finish ............. I guess I could be being over critical of them by judging them as models. The Carnegie Baryonyx was a particular dissapointment to me when viewed on line as much as by the choice of pea green paint finish as the poor detail finish in the sculpt. Ho Hum.
I'd be really interested to see an in depth appraisal of Battat. Exactly how old are these figures? The Stegosaurus shown in a recent post was all around uninspiring to me but I am well aware that all of the ranges seem to have diamonds as well as duds in them!
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Post by therizinosaurus on Jan 9, 2009 2:32:11 GMT
Battat figures were released in three waves--1994, 1996, and 1998. I will try to create a thread with reviews of all the figs and the line as a whole.
All companies, as far as I know, have more than one mold for each figure. They are retired as the molds deteriorate. For many Carnegie figs, I have as many as 4 or 5 mold variations (hopefully that will be another thread soon.
I actually like the battat steg, especially the fact that they took a risk and put (an anatomically incorrect) 8 tailspikes.
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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 2:36:26 GMT
The Carneige line has its own style which i didn't like at first but now after i have bought a few i really like them, Im surprised you didn't like the Rex as i just got mine days ago and really like it even though it was second-hand and had paint missing. The Carneige Sauropods are really nice if they interest you at all. As for the Papo's i think they are amazing the Spino and Stego are my 2 favourites. Hi Ajax and thanks for the welcome. I think that my Rex must be a dud. The eyes are nowhere near level (looks like mould slippage to a degree) and it has a deformed toe on the left foot ......... I may send it back this week! I really like the Papo Rex even if it is heavily JP inspired. The Allo and Spino are on my list but out of stock everywhere here at the moment! I haven't really looked at many sauropods yet, it's difficult to see the level of detail on most internet shop sites and, as they are generally more expensive due to size, I don't want to buy these off the cuff and be dissapointed. Can you recommend any? Thanks john. |
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Post by therizinosaurus on Jan 9, 2009 2:38:44 GMT
I know I'm not Ajax, but I think I'm speaking for everyone if I recommend the Carnegie Camarasaurus. The general consensus is that it is a great figure!
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Post by bmknj17 on Jan 9, 2009 2:40:48 GMT
Hey John.
Welcome to the board...from a guy who's been here less than a week.
You and I have something in common in that I am only interested in those figures that, to my eye, are the most absolutely naturalistic. Perhaps you've already seen the post I began called Here are the ones... and the photo of the pretty much only figures I like contained therein.
If anything, I'm even more particular than you, for whatever that means to you, and I've done a lot of research over the past week with finding the most photorealistic figures the goal. So I'm happy to help or to toss around opinions. I am more interested in models, but with respect to financial and spatial issues, toys have their benefits.
I too have little appreciation for the Battat figures. As I've written here elsewhere, I see no point in anatomical correctness if the sculpture and paint aren't aesthetically pleasing. And to my eye, they are, for the most part, not, particularly the latter. And I have no concerns about rarity or collectibility (and certainly don't care about investment prospects when they're already at such prices as they are). I buy what I like.
The exception in terms of our common interests is that I love Kaiyodo Dinotales figures. Do you just find the small size unimpressive, cluttersome, perhaps too childish in their lack of heft? I combat that by displaying them all together in a contained space. There are some pics in the collections section.
I also happen to love England and lived in London for a while...and did one very quick drive through Hastings while there. I am looking forward to returning within the next few years.
Good luck here and with your choices.
Brett
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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 2:45:17 GMT
Battat figures were released in three waves--1994, 1996, and 1998. I will try to create a thread with reviews of all the figs and the line as a whole. All companies, as far as I know, have more than one mold for each figure. They are retired as the molds deteriorate. For many Carnegie figs, I have as many as 4 or 5 mold variations (hopefully that will be another thread soon. I actually like the battat steg, especially the fact that they took a risk and put (an anatomically incorrect) 8 tailspikes. Strange, I'd gotten it into my head that they were issued in the 1960's or 1970's hence why I assumed that the primary attraction was down to nostalgia! I'd never considered the need for remolding, that has the potential to add a whole new facet to collecting these figures Looking forward to your thread on Battat's ................ It's strange that there don't seem to be models of the other Stego type dinosaurs (there are at least two British types that I can't remember the names of and I think that one was a larger animal than Stegosaurus). Best John. |
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Post by therizinosaurus on Jan 9, 2009 2:49:22 GMT
Beauty, as well as price, is in the eye of the beholder. Also, the prices they're at now is nothing. A Battat Diplo would barely break the $200 barrier. Last year they went for $600. A Carnotaurus can be had for less than $50, but last year it could go for $150. These prices are cheap compared to what they were.
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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 2:50:43 GMT
I'm speaking for everyone if I recommend the Carnegie Camarasaurus. The general consensus is that it is a great figure! Funnily enough, that's on my list (in the 'wait and see what the Carnegie Giganotosaurus is like' section). I really like the paint finish and pose on that figure ................. I just hope that the eye's are level! |
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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 2:53:46 GMT
Welcome to the forums my friend! Thank you Mr Rex ............... Is it obvious that I have a predilection for the Rex yet? |
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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 3:10:34 GMT
Sorry for the rant, but here it goes: Who's to say that Battat's aren't aesthetically pleasing? I personally think that every last one is absolutely beautiful. Also, many people collect them for the sole reason that they are rare. As I said earlier, look at White Post figures. The ugliest figures ever made, but they fetch ridiculous prices. Beauty, as well as price, is in the eye of the beholder. Also, the prices they're at now is nothing. A Battat Diplo would barely break the $200 barrier. Last year they went for $600. A Carnotaurus can be had for less than $50, but last year it could go for $150. These prices are cheap compared to what they were. Please, everyone, stop complaining about Battat's unless you've seen every one in person. Then you can keep talking about how you don't understand Battats. Theri, I'm not complaining about Battat's figures, I was merely saying that I don't get it ........... yet! You're right in that I've never knowingly seen one in the flesh and I am fully aware of the limitations of photographic reproductions. You're passion for these figures is infectious and I look forward to your thread on the subject (you may even convert me although I will never be swayed to pay such prices for something of this nature). Being an artist, graphic designer/illustrator, I do know something about aesthetics and I do appreciate the work and effort that goes into creating something whether I ultimately like it or not. I am not in the anti camp yet ................. just sitting on the fence until I've seen more (it's safer on the fence ;D)! |
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Post by therizinosaurus on Jan 9, 2009 3:15:34 GMT
No problems, I was just trying to stop the bashing before it evolved into something bigger. I, fortunately, didn't have to pay those prices since I had many since I was younger, including the Acro and Diplo. I know Cordy can back me up on the fact that pics just don't do them justice. If you're interested in working out a deal for one (a trade, maybe?), pm me as I have many extras. Also, since you live in the UK I have to ask--do you have any of the Toyway NHM figures? I'd love one of those. |
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Post by kuni on Jan 9, 2009 3:29:09 GMT
I just got a carnotaurus from Theri today, and I have to say, seeing them in photos versus seeing them in the hand (well, "in the box"....can't quite bring myself to open that just yet!) is night and day.
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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 3:30:02 GMT
You and I have something in common in that I am only interested in those figures that, to my eye, are the most absolutely naturalistic. Perhaps you've already seen the post I began called Here are the ones... and the photo of the pretty much only figures I like contained therein. If anything, I'm even more particular than you, for whatever that means to you, and I've done a lot of research over the past week with finding the most photorealistic figures the goal. So I'm happy to help or to toss around opinions. I am more interested in models, but with respect to financial and spatial issues, toys have their benefits. I too have little appreciation for the Battat figures. As I've written here elsewhere, I see no point in anatomical correctness if the sculpture and paint aren't aesthetically pleasing. And to my eye, they are, for the most part, not, particularly the latter. And I have no concerns about rarity or collectibility (and certainly don't care about investment prospects when they're already at such prices as they are). I buy what I like. The exception in terms of our common interests is that I love Kaiyodo Dinotales figures. Do you just find the small size unimpressive, cluttersome, perhaps too childish in their lack of heft? I combat that by displaying them all together in a contained space. There are some pics in the collections section. I also happen to love England and lived in London for a while...and did one very quick drive through Hastings while there. I am looking forward to returning within the next few years. Good luck here and with your choices. Brett Thanks Brett, I guess that I am looking for the more realistic stuff and I have spent a considerable amount of time sifting through what's out there. I checked out your list and it is quite similar to mine with the exception of the modern animals. I just can't afford to go down the road of pro quality models and simply don't have the time to make them myself hence settling on this facet of collecting. In my opinion, some of these toys are edging into the model realm anyway but are a fraction of the cost. Anatomical correctness isn't an issue with me either. When it boils down to it there is barely enough fossil material to say exactly what some of these creatures looked like ........... there's more conjecture involved than certain palaeo types would care to admit even where near complete skeletons exist. Who can say exactly what wierd and bizarre fleshy bits TRex sported in life. Dinosaurs seem to be as much at the mercy of fashion as anything else in modern life .............. you only have to look at some of the outrageous colour schemes we're seeing on these toys now. If it looks right to me that's just fine. Small size is just cluttersome to me. that may be down to the fact that many years ago I used to sculpt war gaming figures for a model company ............ fine for gaming, rubbish for display. But, that's just my taste, I certainly don't begrudge anyone else taking enjoyment from such things. Best John. |
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Post by blackdanter on Jan 9, 2009 3:43:30 GMT
Also, since you live in the UK I have to ask--do you have any of the Toyway NHM figures? I'd love one of those. Theri Are you referring to the current ones or the old plain colour NHM figures? I used to have boxes of the old ones (I don't know who made them) alas my dear old mum gave them all away when I left home years ago (she did the dirty with my dino Aurora models aswell!). If you're referring to the current NHM figures, I will be making a trip to the NHM at some point in the next couple of months and can pick some up if you're after something specific. I assume that these are not available your side of the pond? Best John. |
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Post by bmknj17 on Jan 9, 2009 3:50:31 GMT
John...more later but why is buying from the US expensive?
Brett
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Post by Ajax on Jan 9, 2009 3:52:40 GMT
I'm speaking for everyone if I recommend the Carnegie Camarasaurus. The general consensus is that it is a great figure! Funnily enough, that's on my list (in the 'wait and see what the Carnegie Giganotosaurus is like' section). I really like the paint finish and pose on that figure ................. I just hope that the eye's are level! Hey again, I don't have the Giganotosaurus yet but many others on this site do and many thought it was the best sculpt from last year, from what i have seen its very good, nice pose, great colours and pretty accurate. ;D |
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I really don't like 'tiny' figures and I'm really allergic to anything that looks cheap and nasty or too kidified. I prefer the toys that really are closer to being 'replica' models I guess but without the expense of something that would be marketed as such. I'm also a bit retro in my tastes in that I'm none too keen on the 'whippy looking' modern take on dinos and am also quite bemused by arguments over accuracy, bearing in mind that some of these toys are based on animals where only a bag of vertebrae exist. If it looks right and doesn't look like it was cast from a jelly mould or finished by a club fingered drunkard that's fine by me! 
. That figure has put me off of the entire line and I'm undecided now over whether or not to go for the Carnegie Giganotosaurus.
