182: PNSO Tsintaosaurus (Xiaoqin 2022) Review

Tsintaosaurus is one of the most famous Chinese dinosaurs, and it is time PNSO turned its attention to this homegrown hadrosaur. And wow is it BEAUTIFUL!
This model displays a beautiful blend of colours to gloriously enshroud the detail for which PNSO is already famous. It sports the updated crest which replaces the previous unicorn appearance. Topped off with a multitude of colours of course! The only sad thing is how small this is!
We now have a good selection of lambeosaurines from PNSO. Here’s hoping for a boring old crestless saurolophine!
#PNSO #Tsintaosaurus #DinosDragons #xiaoqin #hadrosaurs #hadrosauroids #lambeosaurines #dinosaurs #dinosaurtoys #dinosaurmodels

[@paleoscinkus542]

This is in my opinion one of, if not PNSO’s best work so far. It’s a very well researched and beautifully painted model. I almost feel scammed for getting the Olorotitan and Parasaurolophus since they don’t incorporate the thicker necks and hoof-like nails.

[@DinosDragons]

Don't feel so bad about that. Both the Parasaurolophus and Olorotitan are very good sculptures and painted really well. I tend to be a little more forgiving of models if I know that they are generally accurate, and incorporate what's universally accepted. The Bertozzo et al paper came out in 2020 so there's some leeway there. The important thing is, does a company decide that they will incorporate something new that doesn't go well with the previous aesthetic, or forego that so that any new dinosaurs goes well with what was previously released? PNSO for one has shown its willingness to do the former, as you see with Andrea being scaled with the finer detail that came after the Wilson. Or in this case, the new proportions versus the older ones like Lambeosaurus and even Parasaurolophus. So when I look at my collection I see it as not definitive to that point, but also a representation of evolution of understanding.

[@ashleyartus1193]

This is breathtaking. Their best hadrosaur so far...PNSO get better and better..thank you so much. Your reviews are the best online we have. Keep it up. XX

[@DinosDragons]

@Ashley Artus Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my videos which dawdle quite a bit on the sciene as well😁. I have hopes that their paint apps are going back to their previous standard!

[@XenoRiftWarp]

Yessss!!! One of my most anticipated PNSO figures, the paintjob is pretty stellar for the price point (LOVE the faded blending of the stripes and crest), and the sculpt is fantastic!

[@DinosDragons]

You're definitely going to love it in person as there are subtleties a camera just can't fully appreciate. But you would definitely have loved it bigger!

[@keepcalmlovedinosaurs8934]

Beautiful indeed! The coloration and thickness of the model has tempted me to get it! I was gonna get the PNSO Corythosaurus but this is a superior model.

[@DinosDragons]

I would say that's a very good idea. It makes sense to get this first because it's new, and so you want to make sure you get this standard of paint application while it's still in its first run. The Corythosaurus being out for so long would probably have whatever deterioriation in quality it would have had by now.

[@massimilianopetricca2804]

I had already noticed that this Tsintaosaurus was beautiful from the first photos I saw online, but now with your beautiful video you have confirmed it to me. I really like the coloring and then that massive neck that recalls Bertozzo's recent paper. Congratulations indeed to the PNSO. The only thing that, to be honest, leaves me a little disappointed is its size, really too small for me. Great as always the scientific part of the video and fantastic to see the whole herd of the beautiful hadrosaurs of the PNSO.

[@DinosDragons]

Thank you, I was really happy to do this review but it was a little dampened by how underwhelming small it was. Especially when compared to the size of the box of the Museum Line. This one should perhaps been in the normal line, and if it had to be given Museum Line based on how beautiful it's painted and how iconic this is especially for the Chinese, all the more reason to scale it up! This should have been near the Zhuchengtyrannus in length IMO.

[@MrRajithasandaruwan]

First thought to be a hornless hadrosaur this Tsintaosaurus always surprised me with its strange-looking appearance. PNSO always amaze their customers with some unique and obscure species. But I'm sure most of us had a feeling that someday they will make a Tsintaosaurus figure. For me, the only downsides of this figure are the eyes and the mouth area. The eyes look so fake and empty while the mouth is just another plastic line. Other than that the overall figure is breathtaking. Color variations, skin, and my favorite part are the front limbs. ❤Who knows maybe someday I'll get this. But until then I'll just enjoy these amazing and educational videos from you my dear good Sir ❤ Thank you so much as always. Please keep up the good work and wish you good health.

[@DinosDragons]

Thanks as always Rajitha! You know I always say the good thing about not liking something about a model, is that you don't have to buy it and can save both money and space! Money can be earned, but space is always dwindling! I'm learning that the hard way. Hmmm... maybe I should be grateful in this one aspect that this is small? That's my main gripe about this model 😑

[@MrRajithasandaruwan]

Ha ha.... The size of the figure is a hard pill to swallow. But I still would love to have this someday. Let's see....

[@KnyghtErrant]

This and the Zhuchengtyrannus have given me hope that they are getting the paint back on track. I would have preferred this not be a museum line figure, but I'm sure it will eventually makes its way into my collection!

[@DinosDragons]

I forgot to mention that! But yes, if this means we are back on track to what it was last year, with inhand models having close to the paint apps we see in the release models, PNSO is really going to grow from strength to strength, while our wallets grow dwindle from weakness to weakness.

[@colinmathura-jeffree9829]

I love it. I think she's too small. But wow. Also I loved thst you put her next to Mirigaia... Its great to see comparisons with other Dino families even if they never lived together. Keep up the great work. I buy off of your reviews.

[@DinosDragons]

@Colin Mathura-Jeffree Wow Colin that's a heavy responsibility but thank you for your support! 😂 I couldn't help put it beside the Miragaia. In my opinion two of the most beautifully painted dinosaurs PNSO has done, and really lifts me mood just to see it!

[@DavidMendoza-wx6cq]

Beautiful color choice

[@DinosDragons]

From the nave to the chaps, and even below that! 😁

[@moviemaniacproducts]

I love your video reviews; probably my favorite on KZbin. I love getting to hear more about the background of these animals mixed in with the review, and I always get a little extra excited when it's a hadrosaur. I've been spending a lot of time with the H. stebingeri holotype at MOR as I work towards my degree, so it's always fun to see the homology across this group of animals in other papers, but of course in the artwork and models too. I just picked up the Oloritan for my second PNSO model, but this might have to be next!

[@DinosDragons]

Thank you very much for liking my format, even thought the science does make the 'review' longer than it should be 🤣 Good Heavens, a paleontology student? And working at the MOR no less! Welcome, always delighted to have a bona fide person in the field dropping in 😁 Hypacrosaurus is something I've always found very useful in learning since there are some good open access articles featuring it. While much of it is understandable, there are aspects of anatomy you can only fully appreciate when you have the real, 3D thing in your hands. When I learnt about human anatomy, it was difficult and confusing but a trip to the lab always cleared things right up. Will you be doing a student thesis on it? If so drop me an email. I would love to read it! Don't know if you're been collecting long, but paint apps tend to fade with subsequent runs. So if you really like the paint apps on this, consider getting it earlier rather than later.

[@moviemaniacproducts]

@@DinosDragons Yes, the holotype is pretty much serving as my first anatomy teacher (along with MOR staff of course). Learning a lot of the basics and how to indentify certain elements even when disarticulated and deformed! No theses in the works yet, still in the early stages of an undergraduate degree, but spending a lot of time as a volunteer cataloging holotypes and making sure everyone is accounted for. Hypacrosaurus is a large animal and we have a lot of it, so I've been on this one for a while, hah! Hope to be doing undergraduate research next semester though. We will see how things pan out! Great tip on the paint. I will have to get on ordering more soon.

[@ArawnsFire]

My figure arrived Tuesday and I’m absolutely thrilled . I am pleased with the proportions of the figure, and appreciate the smaller scale due to ever limiting space on my shelves . Being disappointed with the previous figure , when this was announced I was grateful , not just for the representation but also for addressing the balance issues . 2021 for PNSO was the year of the theropod , so it is my sincere hope that this year will see the release of ornithopods . I do suspect an Edmontosaurus will announced shortly . An updated Shantungosaurus would be welcomed as well as your suggestions along with perhaps a Brachylophosaurus and a Kritosaurus . Splendid review as always on this marvelous Chinese treasure . PS. - perhaps they should have named the figure Bâozàng .

[@DinosDragons]

Lol good suggestion! I also would have been perfectly happy with the old Cuiyu since this really has such a beautiflu colour it deserves to be compared to jadeite! I hope that if they do Edmonotosaurus, it must be a real 1:35 scale. At least on par with the 2020 Safari one! I wouldn't mind a Shangtungosaurus but suspect they would make it in 1:45 based on their recent decisions with very big figures.

[@player21099]

😂 This is the year 2023 of the theropod. Hope, pnso until they are released, it will take many years.

[@jackm9566]

Now I have to convince my wife again why I want another PNSO dinosaur model. Simply stunning work by PNSO. Thanks for the educational video, love the science.

[@DinosDragons]

You're most welcome Jacques. And if my video can play a part in convincing your wife, then I would be even happier! Talk to her about how beautiful this is, and how vibrant, and seeing the pretty, positive colours reminds you of your love for her. Be careful not to say it in a way that suggests she reminds you of a dinosaur though. Good luck! 😉

[@solar-jaymi]

Hell yeah I love the fruit looking crest, very eye catching.

[@DinosDragons]

What I really like is that their hadrosaurs aren't just highlighting the crests, but their colouration is fantastic throughout!

[@shawntorres9299]

Hey Dinos are going to review the eofuana Proboscideans or atlasaurus but I wish more sauropods like Brachiosaurus or giraffititan but thanks for another great review

[@DinosDragons]

Thanks for your support! No I don't actually have any EoFauna probosicdeans, and the Atlasaurus has been out so long that it's probably been covered by other reviewers so another review would have no value-add. However if I get the Diplodocus I might do a video on that one! And if I get another sauropod you can be sure I'll review it too!😁

[@mauragon7311]

It's a shame that it's so little compared to others, I do hope that PNSO makes a bigger size models of Edmontosaurus, Maiasaura, Ouranosaurus and a new version of Shantungosaurus..

[@DinosDragons]

It's a crime lol! Considering how big this was. And pouring salt on the wound is how LARGE the _box_ is in comparison! I'm hoping for a new and better version of Shantungosaurus too... that is 1:35 please!

[@lambdadelta821]

imo my favorite paints PNSO has done

[@DinosDragons]

No argument there! He goes on the shelf right next to Miragaia!

[@madnessends2477]

I absolutely love the PNSO hadrosaur figures. They are such beautiful but neglected creatures. Im saving to see if I buy at least all of their hadrosaur figures

[@DinosDragons]

You won't regret. There is an elegance in their hadrosaurs that I have not seen in any of their other dinosaurs!

[@madnessends2477]

@@DinosDragons i love how colorful and beautiful they are. The fact that a lot of them had crests also give the opportunity to be bold when it comes to allowing them to be eye-catching. Do you prefer the more colorful ones like the Lambeosaurus or Corythosaurus or the more muted ones like the Parasaurolophus or the Tsintaosaurus?

[@thomasmonroe7947]

This is a beautiful figure. Knowing it to be one of the larger hadrosaurs, I’d hoped it would be bigger. It’s a must have, though.

[@DinosDragons]

It really is too small now that I've had it a few days. But there's no denying the artistry. This looks fantastic next to the Miragaia and all the other hadrosaurs, but just underwhelmed by the small size.

[@thomasmonroe7947]

@@DinosDragons and it’s the artistry that makes the difference, here. If the sculpt or paint scheme had not, collectively, been on point, I might have passed but I love the beefiness, detail and paint app. I always had a problem with the initial artistic reconstruction of the tube/crest/horn. Not saying it couldn’t occur but for a hadrosaur or any animal of this size, this would seem like a structure that would have a shelf life of mere moments and of very limited actual functionality. Again, a very nice, in depth analysis beyond the figure review. PNSO may not always hit all the high marks but they’re still at the top of their game with their figure production.

[@venator7251]

That's a fantastic figure! So beautiful. If only it was slightly bigger. My fav Hadrosaur figure still is Ivan!

[@DinosDragons]

If only it was a LOT bigger! It's even smaller than Ivan 😪

[@venator7251]

@@DinosDragons true a LOT bigger lol.

[@QuiversaurusRex]

Been waiting in anticipation for this review! This is a beautiful model, and like some other commenters have mentioned, the paint job is much closer to the box art, which is great! Especially appreciated how you brought us through the explanation of hadrosaur crests; the step-by-step coloration of different skull segments was extremely helpful. Xiaoqin also looks great with Ivan, such a dynamic duo. Pity about the scaling though... Looking forward to PNSO's next figure, as well as your next review! Would you by any chance also be considering getting Rebor's upcoming Saurophaganax and T-Rexes? (Speaking of T. rex, what are your thoughts on the recent T. imperator and T. regina argument? Would love to hear your take on it!)

[@DinosDragons]

I'm not generally a fan of Rebor and I think there's something off in the leg proportions but I can't pinpiont one. Could be perspective; I'll need to see a pic from the side. The Volcanic Cavern colour scheme on the Saurophaganax looks sick though. I may be tempted when I see what other people have to say. As for T rex... well! Without going into an essay: I haven’t finished reading the paper yet but I had first run skim through. To be honest I skipped ot the good part first, which for me is the anatomy and diagnosis. First thing that strikes me is the surprisingly short diagnostic criteria for each, and nothing that would seem to fall out of normal variation. T _regina_ : Generally gracile with an adult femur-length/ circumference ratio over 2.4, usually one slender anterior incisiform dentary tooth T _imperator_ : Generally robust with an adult femur-length/ circumference ratio of 2.4 or less; usually two slender anterior incisiform dentary teeth. T _rex_ : generally robust with an adult femur-length/ circumference ratio of about 2.4 or less; usually one slender anterior incisiform dentary tooth. Just doesn’t seem stringent enough compared to many other papers I’ve read where the autapomorphy list can sometimes send you to sleep. Also doesn’t seem to fall outside of the established variations as described in Carr 2020 (A high-resolution growth series of Tyrannosaurus rex obtained from multiple lines of evidence) He studied 44 specimens and a data set of 1850 characters. This paper is freely available online. If there was any valid argument for splitting, he would have been all over it. I think the idea that there must have been different species of T Rex certainly holds water, especially if you consider how long it was supposed to be around for. But I’m not sure if this paper will clearly define those special differences. I’m still reading it thought to be fair.

[@QuiversaurusRex]

@@DinosDragons Understand what you mean about Rebor, we shall (both) wait and see. I'm still waiting for a proper Allosaurus, pity PNSO's Paul still has some questionable anatomical decisions. Agreed with your view on T. rex! I haven't read the paper yet but general consensus seems to be "possible, but need more evidence". The 2020 paper you raised is interesting though, I will probably need to get into that. Also, I think Eofauna and Ancestors Models are both working on new models of FMNH PR2081/Sue, and both have called it T. imperator. Ngl, am pretty excited for an Eofauna interpretation of this magnificent beast (:

[@horse14t]

I love this guy so much! I love the colours and it even looks like they gave him a nice crop! I'm torn on if I should spend the last of my Christmas Money on the pre-order or wait for my Birthday in May ;-; For a crestless hadrosaur I would love if they did a Brachylophosaurus!... Mostly because the Dino Mummy documentary on Leonardo was one of my favourites growing up!

[@DinosDragons]

I would advise if you have the funds to get it sooner. Paint apps tend to deterioriate with production runs, and although May is just two months away, I wouldn't take a chance on that. Unfortunately I never wathced the Dino Mummy documentary. In fact there are many that I have missed because these programmes aren't always cast at the best times, since they are not so popular. Slowly catching up on them all though!

[@horse14t]

@@DinosDragons Sounds good! 👍 I highly recommend watching Secrets Of The Dinosaur Mummy sometime! They found so many cool things with Leonardo including even preserved organs! The full doc is on Dailymotion in HD. I'm not aware of anywhere that's legal to watch it though if you prefer that. Edit: It's on Prime apparently but of coarse not available in my country...

[@horse14t]

@@DinosDragons I placed my Pre-order today 😋

[@summers7775]

my new favourite pnso figure! only negative point is the size. Wish it was as big as the Corythosaurus!

[@DinosDragons]

I would be happy enough if it was even the same size as Iguanodon lol! This is really too small the longer I look at its beauty compared to some other models on the shelf!

[@stephenwright6189]

This is gorgeous. Like some other people, I wish it was more true to 1/35 scale. Based on the new info regarding thicker necks, as seen here, is PNSO's Olorotitan not accurate anymore? I really love that one and was thinking of purchasing it next. I'm new to dinosaur figure collecting and your reviews have become indispensable. Thanks.

[@DinosDragons]

The thing is, palaeontology like most sciences isn't concrete. It also has many unknowns that can only ever be speculated upon by people who are trained in it, and in some aspects more than others. I would say that from what I read in the Bertozzo paper, and my own modest knowledge of anatomy, I find it very convincing. Someone else who doesn't agree might not take the same look to the art and scupt, and if he can validate why he won't agree with a certain conclusion, then I'm perfectly happy. The same way I can enjoy both a lipped theropod and an unlipped one, because I have read both arguments and think they both make sense. I would recommend that if you are really into the anatomy, then you could start by reading some introductory texts and see how you like the subject. Then as you are learning, you can compare what you learn with the models that you have. A good reference would be the YDAW channel on KZbin. I haven't watched it in a while, but even if he hasnt updated it his part material would be very relatable to anyone interested in more accurate dinosaur anatomy. Look it up. Meanwhile, don't forget that your collection is also about your enjoyment. What are the things you enjoy about a model you like? If you enjoy the colours, the artistry, the drama, even a Papo can be enjoyed, and shouldn't be cast aside because someone says it's not accurate. Good luck in your new hobby! 😁

[@stephenwright6189]

@@DinosDragons thanks for your thoughtful response, and yes I will check out the reference you mentioned! In the meantime, I came home and bought 2 more dinos. Yes, they're lightening my wallet. 😅 Looking forward to your next review.

[@michaelkawano1951]

Great review and one I was really looking forward to! Sad that it’s so small, but it still looks amazing. Question though. To my very untrained eye, the crest seems to not be angled correctly. In the images you showed from the paper, and similar reconstructions I’ve found, it looks as if the crest should angle back more. What are your thoughts on the feasibility of the model’s crest shape?

[@DinosDragons]

@Michael Kawano Thank you I was going to touch on that but it added another four minutes to the video so I took it out. You are absolutely right and astute in your observation. The crest according to the Prieto-Márquez and Wagner 2013 should be posterodorsally projecting. However Jiang et al 2017 did a CT scan of the spike. What they found was that the whole structure consisted of only a few bone fragments. In addition the root of the crest does not even match up with the surface of the skull. So the shape most people have been working is is probably not even really the correct morphology. Based on the frontal and prefrontal, they conclude that it would have an up-extended crest. I am guessing this is what PNSO based the crest on, combining the best of two arguments.

[@michaelkawano1951]

@@DinosDragons thank you!! Clear and insightful answer and not something I found in my quick “research”. That helps me feel better about shelling out so much cash for such a small figure. On a side note, I would definitely watch that added four minutes!! Thanks again. You’re the best.

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

Hello,also I like the thumbnail

[@DinosDragons]

Thank you it was an easy one to choose this time!

[@richardparrott7192]

An excellent review! This is a very nice model, but I do wish PNSO would have an option for these figures without the artwork, just to make them a bit more affordable. The actual model to me does not particularly seem to be Museum line unless the figure comes with a scenery base, or at least a nice skull like their triceratops!.

[@DinosDragons]

I actually don't mind the supplementary material but I do wish 1. They gave us standardized extras that include a skull. That would appease I think many people who lament the extra cost of a Museum Line model, because it's really a value added model. Or a nice base for a diorama. 2. They actually size the box to the size of the actual model. It's a little surreal to get a big box and find that the size of your model is actually underwhelmed by everything else inside. This could have been made a non-Museum Line model unless more cost went into the paint apps, and save many people the added cost. If it was a Museum Line because of how cherished this dinosaurs is to the Chinese community, then all the more reason to make it a 1:35 based on the average size estimates.

[@firegator6853]

*glad you didnt show collecta tsintaosaurus and not because of the inaccuracies*

[@DinosDragons]

No we're not too interested in dubious species here. The species T. penorhinus has largely been discredited and considered by most respectable workers to be _nomen dubium_ .

[@firegator6853]

@@DinosDragons we are also not too interested in *awkward* crests

[@kalevipoeg6916]

The supplementary materials are nice BUT I did find that the English translation is pretty lacking (I have done work translating from Chinese to English to make some powerpoint presentations more "native sounding" in English when I was in China, so I have seen my share of this kind of thing). It's not a big deal but it's just a point they could improve on simply by having someone natively fluent in both do the write-ups. Anyway, I can't wait to get a 1:35 Edmontosaurus and I REALLY want it to be green. Or blue. Blue would be weird but also cool.

[@DinosDragons]

It's interesting what you wrote. I don't know how the English or the translations are now, ever since they switched to only English or only Chinese formats, so I get the only Chinese ones. But in the past when they were bilingual, I was quite impressed by the level of the English in the pamphlets, and found it very useful in cross-learning both Chinese and English. I always love blue in a dinosaurs, because you know of course how rare blue is as a colour in animals! In fact that's why I was so excited about the PNSO Centrosaurus even though the rest of the colour is really very drab. I think PNSO has always given their hadrosaurs a pleasing paint job, and a blue would be amazing! By the way, kudos to your past contributions as we need more real human translators for better understanding. As any serious learner of languages knows, the automated translaters in vogue nowadays are often near useless, especially when translating the subjunctive or the nuances. Some like Google are still quite ok, others like Facebook are worthless for Chinese. We still need the human factor.

[@Austin-kl7yc]

CollectA made one but the crest...

[@DinosDragons]

Yes well, unfortunately it's now been shown that the species T. spinopenus is no longer valid. 😪

[@antoniorocha3967]

One of the biggest problems with pnso: scale. I really don't understand why they can't get it right, even because they're supposed to be in 1/35. These kind of things always make me think twice before buying their figures. In fact, i don't get several, just because of that.

[@DinosDragons]

I think that is the case in general. I was just looking at some of the CollectA Deluxe figures, supposedly in 1:40 scale, and also my CollectA prehistoric mammals, supposedly in 1:20 scale, and thinking how happy I was when I thought they were true to scale, until I measured them. I think 1:35 is a very popular scale so just based off marketing it's a good one to use, but there is also some validity to size bracketing of extinct species. What that range is though, is anybody's guess. I've learnt to overlook some discrepancy as long as I know what they are. The only thing I won't actually buy would be a larger scale model not having more detail to utilise that larger canvas. Case in point the CollectA Deluxe Walking Spinosaurus. Taking up extra space without giving added value.

[@antoniorocha3967]

@@DinosDragons True.

[@leighcoulson2148]

Better for my 1:40 collection

[@DinosDragons]

Ah yes, that is a bright side I hadn't considered!

[@Skycube100]

I personally don't like how the black was painted on the crest. Would have loved it if it's in a more matt look and if its roughly feathered/blended slightly on the colors surrounding it. Overall tho, everything looks great, the paint job on its body and face for me, is the best compared to their other hadrosaur dinos. PNSO really improving!

[@DinosDragons]

Yes in fact if I hadn't looked at the release image again, I would have thought it was a sloppy slap job. It just sticks out like a sorethumb, so it's a puzzling choice for me. I do hope this is a sign that PNSO is getting back to the standard it had last year where in-hand models were very close to the release images.

[@carlosgabrielquispemorales2507]

Subbbb🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@DinosDragons]

Muchas gracias! 😁😁

[@멀더fox]

He's as small as Olorotitan, so I'll pass.

[@DinosDragons]

Actually strictly speaking, it's smaller 😔