Dinosaurs weren’t the primary big plant-eaters to roam the Earth; that frontier was pioneered first amongst vertebrates by the dicynodonts, a bunch of tusked therapsids (the clade which incorporates fashionable mammals) which survived the Permian Mass Extinction and lasted to the top of the Triassic interval. They ranged extensively in dimension and distribution, from the diminutive Diictodon, to the pervasive Lystrosaurus, to giants like Lisowicia and Kannemeyeria. Relationship from the Center Triassic of South America and Africa, the ox-sized Kannemeyeria is known as after the fossil collector who first found the animal, and one of many largest herbivores alive throughout its time. Regardless of its spectacular kind, nevertheless, Kannemeyeria has the drawback of merely not being a dinosaur, so its ubiquity in paleo-media stays considerably restricted.
Fortunately, within the fashionable web age, collectors and artists have it just a little simpler with reference to getting their most well-liked prehistoric genera out within the wild. Kannemeyeria at the moment has no commonplace plastic toys to its title but (not less than to my data), however unbiased artist Mike Eischen has helped fill the void with a small 3D-printed mannequin. Eischen is one in all numerous artists who’re producing digitally-sculpted, 3D-printed collectible figurines out on the net market. Whereas his Marx-styled retro T. rex figurine was the primary of his catalog to catch my eye, nearly all of his designs are devoted to mammals and different synapsids, reminiscent of Kannemeyeria.
Marketed as 1/35 scale, Mike Eischen’s Kannemeyeria measures 9 cm (3.5 in) straight alongside the stomach, or 11 cm (4.25 in) alongside the spinal curve; for a max-sized specimen of three meters, that is nearer to 1/33 or 1/27 scale. The mannequin is manufactured from ABS plastic and seems to be hole, with wonderful printing strains seen up shut and a shiny end. This mannequin seems to be like it could possibly show very properly with basic monochrome toys like Marx and MPC, however not like these previous toys this dicynodont just isn’t constructed for heavy play. It is a collectors-only piece, which needs to be dealt with delicately.
Kannemeyeria was a sturdy animal, which the mannequin captures properly. The mannequin is posed in an off-the-cuff amble, legs straight beneath the physique much like fashionable mammals. The pinnacle is giant and shows the tall postcranial crest, though the general cranium appears a bit short. The entrance of the mouth options the signature beak and tusks seen in all dicynodonts. Nostrils, eyes, and earholes are all among the many wonderful particulars seen on the sculpt, though the eyes look set larger than indicated by cranium stays. The spine, equally, has a better arch and extra pronounced incline than most reconstructions I’ve seen – nevertheless, there aren’t many skeletal reconstructions on the market, so Mike Eischen could also be compensating for contemporary views on common therapsid anatomy.
Whereas no particular integument is discernable, the definition of pores and skin and musculature is superb. The neck is brief and stout with a deep, wattled throat, and the shoulder girdle is tall and robust. The torso is suitably spherical and heavy for an herbivore, with some further folds of pores and skin hanging from the edges of the stomach. Every foot bears 5 easy toes, modest in size. Some manufacturing artifacts do stay on the underside, the place the printing course of is betrayed by swirling patches of plastic. That is inside expectations for this sort of merchandise, although (for my part, not less than), and the general look is of a convincingly hefty but strong-bodied animal.
The Kannemeyeria mannequin is molded in flat grey plastic, with a modest gloss to its make-up. No further paint or colour apps are included, however the intent of the mannequin is for consumers to have the pliability of customizing the mannequin themselves. For now I’ve left mine monochrome, however collectors are inspired to experiment with their very own concepts. Notice that minor sanding of the mannequin may be suggested first, to take away the lined texture ensuing from the printing course of. Simply don’t erase these little facial options by chance! A darker resin model of the mannequin is out there too.
Kannemeyeria represents one in all many outstanding lineages from earlier than the daybreak of the dinosaurs, and it’s a pleasure to personal some model of the animal in mannequin kind. Mike Eischen’s design has a couple of minor quirks, however most lovers needs to be happy with this merchandise. You should buy it for your self by Mike Eischen’s Paleo Sculpture eBay page, along with the remainder of his prehistory catalog.
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