SUBJECT: 1/24TH scale Styracosaurus
PRODUCER: Creative Beast Studios
SCULPTOR: David Silva
RELEASE YEAR: 2010
MATERIAL: 11 resin parts
In July of 2010, I did an Examiner interview with David Silva, who had recently entered the world of dinosaur model kit production as an extension of his career as a commercial toy and character artist/sculptor. High quality dinosaur models comprise a very small percentage of model kits produced each year, but they have hard core fans. Few sculptors survive their first release because the quality of the established competition is so good.
A year later, Silva has not only survived but released several more prehistoric animals, rightfully receiving praise for his offerings. This kit, a 1/24th scale Styracosaurus, testifies as to why.Exceptionally detailed, it captures a precise moment in time as three bucking tons of horns and attitude splash through a shallow creek bed in the Cretaceous.
THE DETAILS: There are 11 solid resin parts to the kit, including a stony base and two semi-transparent pieces depicting water in a creek and the splash of the dinosaur’s foot. The kit requires a little clean up here and there with a hobby knife or sanding stick to remove mold lines, but nothing out of the ordinary.
The parts fit snugly and require only cyanoacrylate glue (aka CA glue or “Super Glue”), but I assembled mine with 5 minute epoxy for extra stability. The nose horn fit so well I could have done without glue or putty. Seaming presents a little challenge on the underside, but it is not visible once the kit is attached to the base. Seams around the limbs on the visible part benefit from creating and applying a skin impression stamp. I use a product called “Repliscale” from Alchemy Works which makes a copy of the skin pattern to press into the putty before it cures.
The lower jaw is a separate part, so if you wanted to paint the mouth first, but the mouth remains accessible even after construction, so it is not necessary. The base comes with a semi-transparent water piece that fits nicely around the rocks and simulates a ruddy current. But after painting, I wanted to see more of them, so I used only the splash piece and replaced it with modeled water using Woodland Scenics E-Z Water.
FINAL COMMENTS: Overall, this is an exceptional kit. The muscles and features are clear but not overdone, the animal is realistic in every way and the kit is simple to build. There are plenty of raised details for dry brushing and still it makes a great airbrush canvas (which is how this was completed.) The water is an option, which is nice, and the build up is really easy overall. I highly recommend it for any modeler who likes a good resin kit, but this would also make a great first resin kit, especially for a modeler looking to step up from styrene dinosaurs.
