Retro Dinosaur Model Kit Diorama
T Rex vs. Dimetrodon
This is my retro dino diorama. Not only are these vintage kits, but I built the base using retro ideas about dinosaur environment. Because fossils were often found in rocky desert areas like Colorado and Wyoming, scientists thought Dinosaur environment resembled the areas in their current form. You would see many dinosaur depictions in these rocky desert landscapes. So, I gave this diorama the retro landscape feel, kinda’ like Land of the Lost TV show from the 1970’s. I also put dinosaurs that hadn’t lived in the same time period into the kit to do battle.
The kits:
Tamiya – Tyrannosaurus Rex (old style)
Lindberg – Dimetrodon (1979 Pyro Models re-issue)
Tamiya – Mesozoic Creatures – Oviraptor (small dino)
The base construction. I used a piece of foam board to cut out a base. I shaped the edges with a plaster-based clay to get a nice look and texture.
I built the background mountains with larger pieces of styrofoam, also using plaster and clay for the details. I shaped little rock formations to position around the base. I used Scene-it palm trees and shrubbery to add a touch of desert plant life.
I used some desert photos to help guide the look of the base. Roadrunner and Coyote cartoon images provided much needed design detail, lol!
Let the battle begin!
parlor of horror 