The Carnegie Collection Allosaurus (1988)

Original 1988 paint master prototype.

The Carnegie Collection Allosaurus sculpted by Forest Rogers was in production in one form or another from 1988 to 2015, with a major re-sculpt done in the mid 1990s. During its lifetime, the model was produced using at least 5 distinct molds, and issued in 4 different colorways (each with their own minor variations, listed in detail below). The prototype, presumably designed by Rogers, featured a dark gray body with gold highlights. Production versions included a mottled brown and yellow variant, a gray and gold variant similar to the prototype, a black and green variant, and finally a gray and maroon variant.

Above: Allosaurus was produced in several colorways over the years. Left to right - brown/gold (1988), gray/gold (1988-1990), black/green (1991-2007), gray (2007-2015).

The pose of this first Safari Allosaurus (which was superseded by an all-new sculpt in 1995) seems to have been inspired by the old Allosaurus mounted skeleton in the Carnegie Museum.

Note: I have found both first and second generation Allosaurus replicas advertised as Schleich releases. Several Schleich sellers and online collector guides list this model as "Albertosaurus" (though the info stamp clearly reads "Allosaurus"). I suspect, but have not yet confirmed, that this was released under a different name by Schleich similar to the way there Australopithecus models were released with Schleich tags that labelled them as "Neanderthal".

1st Mold

Model number: 407-01
Schleich number: 15407
First release: 1988
Retired: c. 1992
Size: 28 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:40
Actual scale: 1:35

It appears that Allosaurus had two separate molds in production from very early on, possibly from the beginning of the line. Even in very early samples, an embossed "1" or "2" can be seen beneath the info text molded onto the tail. These would have been used to increase production capacity, possibly with different production runs intended for different markets, and likely produced at different factories based on differences in the types of plastic used between the two molds. So far, all of the early Allosaurus figures marked with a number 1 seem to be made of the same hard, black PVC material, as opposed to the soft rubber of early mold 2 figures.

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Mold: 1
Version: 1
Color scheme: 1
Release: 1988
Status: Original

Variant type: Dull wash
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Brown (base coat); Kelly green (wash); greenish yellow airbrushing (head, wash); white (teeth); red (eyes); black (pupils).

Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD. MIAMI FL. / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / 1
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 9/10

This is the same basic color scheme as the mold 2 brown and yellow Allosaurus, but it replaces the rubbery base plastic with the harder, dark gray or black PVC vinyl used by the 1990 catalog versions. The yellow airbrush wash is a much more muted, greenish yellow.

Above: Two paint application variants.

Above: Note that across different samples of the figure have has a more or less heavily applied and unevenly distributed yellow and green paint washes. I have opted not to count these as distinct variants because they seem to all be following the same color pattern using the same colors of paint, it's only the individual applications that vary. Photos by Patrick Krol Padilha, aka Ikessauro.

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Mold: 1
Version: 2
Release: 1988
Status: Minor repaint

Variant type: Primary / Twilight Sands / Gloss wash
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: Matte. 5 colors. Dark gray (base coat, claws); gold (wash on limbs/underside, eyes); white (teeth); pink (gums); red (tongue)
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD. MIAMI FL / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / 1
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 8/10

This early Allosaurus variant is the one pictured prominent in 1989-1990 Schleich and Safari catalogs. Some photos show it with light brown looking limbs, some with dark yellow, similar to the standard early '90s Stegosaurus, but this might just be lighting, a subtle running change, or individual variation. This model is fully painted, though the underlying black substrate plastic and the very dark gray primary paint color are similar (as you can see in my photos, it is difficult to tell areas of missing paint apart from stray drops of dark gray paint). This is both the "primary" (closest to the prototype), "gloss wash", and "twilight sands version" of Allosaurus, as the same version appears in all three major early "sets" of models. The colors, mainly golden brown and dark gray (almost black), are nearly identical to those used for the contemporary Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus and make for striking, high-contrast photos. This, combined with the lack of pupils, give this Allosaurus a very monstrous or even demonic look. Some areas of the body appear more glossy than others (the tail, the claws) - this implies the gloss was a separate wash of "paint" which has been unevenly applied.

As you can see, this version appeared in catalog photos from 1988 to 1990 and was likely in production during those years, so it is a bit more common on the secondary market today than the brown and yellow variants.

 

Above: Note that this version shipped with 1st gen corrugated parchment paper tags.

Prototype shown in the 1988 catalog. Note the teeth are painted to the corner of the mouth in this prototype.

As shown in the 1990 Safari Ltd. catalog.

As shown in the 1990 Schleich catalog.

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Mold: 1
Version: 3
Color scheme: 3
Release: 1991
Material: ?
Status Minor repaint, minor retool

Variant type: Classic color
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Pale green (base coat, spots); black (back, head, pupils, airbrushing); Kelly green (stripes, spots); gray (claws); pink (mouth); white (teeth), orange (eyes).

Stamp text: On tail, center-aligned. (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD, MIAMI FL / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 1
CE mark: Small
TDR - 8/10

This version adds a CE mark and a darker color scheme.

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Mold: 1
Version: 4
Color scheme: 3
Release: 1991
Material: Very hard light gray plastic
Status Minor retool

Variant type: Classic color
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Pale green (base coat, spots); black (back, head, pupils, airbrushing); Kelly green (stripes, spots); gray (claws); pink (mouth); white (teeth), orange (eyes).

Stamp text: On tail, Left-aligned. (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD, MIAMI FL / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 1
CE mark: Small
TDR - 8/10

This version had a redone stamp on the tail, and a darker color scheme with slight airbrushed dark paint on the limbs. The stamp text is now left aligned rather than centered, and it is evident from a raised smooth area under the text that the old centered stamp has been tooled out. The plastic is very hard PVC, similar to the earlier versions, but is off-white or very light gray.

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2nd Mold

Model number: 407-01
Schleich number: 15407
First release: 1988
Retired: c. 1992
Size: 28 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:40
Actual scale: 1:35

It appears that Allosaurus had two separate molds in production from very early on, possibly from the beginning of the line. Even in very early samples, an embossed "1" or "2" can be seen beneath the info text molded onto the tail. These would have been used to increase production capacity, possibly with different production runs intended for different markets, likely produced at different factories based on the fact that most mold 1 figures are made with hard vinyl and most early mold 2 figures are made of soft, flexible rubber.

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Mold: 2
Version: 1

Color scheme: 1

Release: 1988
Status: Original (secondary mold)

Variant type: Dull wash
Material: Medium weight light violet vinyl
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Brown (base coat); glossy pea green (wash); yellow airbrushing (head, wash); red (eyes); pink (teeth); black (pupils).

Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD. MIAMI FL. / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / 2
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 9/10

This early version of the Carnegie Allosaurus is made of a medium flexibility light purple or violet vinyl and a full-body coat of relatively thick brown paint. It has a very minimal airbrush wash of the green and gold colors found in other 1988 variants. Like the other early releases, this had centered info text on the side of the tail, giving the name, measurement, company, etc. This model seems to be the fully painted as none of the underlying violet plastic shows through except in areas where the brown paint has come off.

This set of dull wash figures was purchased at the St. Louis Science Center in September 1988 (photo by Robb Jacobson).


Above: A rubbery mold 2 version (right) compared with two hard plastic mold 1 versions (left and center).

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Mold: 2
Version: 2
Release: 1988
Status: Repaint

Variant type: Gold wash
Material: Soft rubber
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Dark gray (base coat, claws); gold (wash on limbs/underside, eyes); white (teeth); pink (gums); red (tongue, eyes); black (pupils)
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD. MIAMI FL / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / 2
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 8/10

This variant of Allosaurus is very similar in color scheme to the mold 1 twilight Allosaurus pictured in the 1990 Schleich and Safari catalogs, but with red eyes and black pupils instead of golden brown eyes with no pupils. 

 

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Mold: 2
Version: 3
Release: 1991
Status: Material variant

Variant type: Classic color
Material: Soft sky blue rubber
Paint: Glossy. 8 colors. Pale yellow-green (base coat); black (back, head, pupils); lime green (sides, underside); Kelly green (highlights); gray (claws); pink (mouth); white (teeth), orange (eyes).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD. MIAMI FL / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / 2
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 9/10

In 1990, all of the original seven Carnegie models had been given fresh color schemes. Allosaurus got a more vibrant, wavy-striped black and green pattern. Initial versions of this color scheme were brighter and more vibrant, similar to the resculpted version from 1994. Subsequent versions toned down the bright lime green color of the underside and limbs and added a black airbrushed wash to the limbs. This version first appears in photography dating from 1991, specifically, ads for the original terrain display.

 

Pictured in a 1991 promotional image.

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Mold: 2
Version: 4
Release: 1991
Status: Repaint

Variant type: Classic color
Material: Hard beige vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 8 colors. Pale yellow-green (base coat); black (back, head, pupils); lime green (sides, underside); Kelly green (highlights); gray (claws); pink (mouth); white (teeth), orange (eyes).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD. MIAMI FL / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / 2
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 7/10

Outwardly, this version is nearly identical to the other lime green Allosaurus, but with a slightly heavier and less carefully applied paint application. However, it is made of hard off-white or beige vinyl instead of the soft rubber which had previously been used for the second mold group.

Above: Note the black paint is applied as more of a light wash on some areas in the earliest production samples.

Above: Beige plastic showing through on the foot.

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Mold: 2
Version: 5
Release: 1991
Status: Material variant

Variant type: Classic color
Material: Hard black PVC
Paint: Glossy. 8 colors. Pale yellow-green (base coat); black (back, head, pupils); lime green (sides, underside); Kelly green (highlights); gray (claws); pink (mouth); white (teeth), orange (eyes).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD. MIAMI FL / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / 2
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 7/10

Outwardly, this version is nearly identical to the original lime green Allosaurus, but with a slightly heavier and less carefully applied paint application. However, it is made of hard black vinyl.

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Mold: 2
Version: 6
Release: 1991
Status: Retool

Variant type: Classic color
Material: Hard black PVC
Paint: Glossy. 8 colors. Pale yellow-green (base coat); black (back, head, pupils); lime green (sides, underside); Kelly green (highlights); gray (claws); pink (mouth); white (teeth), orange (eyes).
Stamp text: Left-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD. MIAMI FL / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 2
CE mark: Small
TDR rating: 7/10

This version features the darker, mid-90s color scheme as opposed to the earlier lime green colorway. It also has retooled info text. The embossed text is now left-aligned rather than centered, and it has a small CE mark, also left-aligned (unlike the first CE marked versions of mold 1, which had a centered CE mark despite left-aligned text).

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3rd Mold

Model number: 407-01 / 4007-01
First release: 1992
Retired: c. 1998
Size: 28 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:40
Actual scale: 1:35

This third mold has much blockier detailing and deeper skin texture than the originals. The earliest confirmed appearance I've found for this version is in the 1992 ELC catalog (see the Catalogs page), though based on the pattern seen in other figures, it was probably available at least a year before that. This version was replaced in the main line by a new sculpt in 1995, but continued to be sold in boxed sets at least through the late '90s, though it is unclear if it was still in production past 1995 or if Safari was simply using stock from old production runs.

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Mold: 3
Version: 1
Color scheme: 3
Release: 1992
Status: Retool

Variant type: Classic color
Material: Dark gray hard vinyl.
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Black (back, head, pupils, wash); Kelly green (stripes); pale green (limbs, underside); gray (claws); pink (mouth); white (teeth), orange (eyes).
Stamp text: On belly, Left-aligned. (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small
TDR rating: 1/10

This is a copy of the original mold, likely made using a pantograph machine, that resulted in a blockier, less detailed final model. One interesting fact is that the stamp has been moved from the tail to the belly on this version, and the wrinkled details have been resculpted onto the tail rather than leaving a smooth mark where the old stamp was. In fact, all the texture detail has been deepened, with the entire figure remolded into three pieces rather than the original two (the new belly piece bears the new info stamp).

As mentioned above, these later editions also darkened the colors, with a pale green belly and limbs covered in a light black wash that seems airbrushed on.

This version was photographed for the 1992 Early Learning Centre brochure, and likely was newly produced at that time.

The photo below compares the first mold (right) with the third mold (left). Notice the lighter color scheme, the sharper claws, and more subtly sculpted texture compared with the  retooled version.

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Version 2 (top) vs. version 1 (bottom). Photo by indy1936

Mold: 3
Version: 2
Release: c. 1994?
Status: Minor repaint

Variant type: Classic color
Material: Dark gray vinyl.
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Black (back, head, pupils, wash); Kelly green (stripes); dark olive green (limbs, underside); gray (claws); pink (mouth); white (teeth), orange (eyes).
Stamp text: On belly, Left-aligned. (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small
TDR rating: 1/10

The mold for this version is unchanged from the original but shows additional signs of fatigue, most noticeable in the faded detailing around the imprint stamp on the belly and the blunted claws on the hand. The base color is a darker olive green. This was likely the last version of the classic Allosaurus and may even have been in production concurrently with the resculpted version for a short time (the earliest resculpted Alloaurus mold is marked "2", so this may have been "1").

Version 2 (top) vs. version 1 (bottom). Note the darker olive green color and noticeable mold fatigue in version 2. Photo by indy1936

4th Mold

Model number: 4007-01
First release: 1995
Retired: 2007
Size: 30cm
Advertised scale: 1:40
Actual scale: 1:35

Allosaurus was the first fully remade Carnegie model to see wide release, though Maiasaura would follow shortly after. This Allosaurus is not only fully re-sculpted, but also re-posed compared to the first version. While the original model was in a striding pose, this new one is posed in a threat display, rearing up and leaning on the tip of the tail in a tripodal posture (though if balanced correctly, it does not need the tail for support) with arms and legs spread wide, much like the earlier, rearing Dilophosaurus model. This would become almost the default posture for most of the Carnegie theropods in subsequent years. Like Maiasaura and the earlier re-sculpt of Tyrannosaurus, the color scheme remained the same. Later Carnegie remakes would receive brand new, or at least heavily modified, color schemes. The size, and therefore scale, of this version also remains the same as the original, though the tail is slightly longer.

Unlike Maiasaura, despite being a full resculpt with a new pose, Allosaurus retained the original model number (just updated with an added zero like all of the older Carnegies) and continued to be listed as a 1988 release in collector's guides. Presumably, Safari felt that the upgrade was not significant enough to warrant new model status - more like the slightly revised Tyrannosaurus than the newly accessorized Maiasaura.

Curiously, neither this mold nor mold 5 list the year the mold was produced, possibly to avoid confusion (it's got the same model number as the 1988 mold, but is obviously completely different).

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Mold: 4
Version: 1
Release: 1995
Status: Major resculpt

Variant type: Classic color
Material: Medium weight gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Mint green (base color); Kelly green (stripes, spots); black (back, claw tips, pupil); gray (claws); off-white (teeth); pink (mouth, nostrils); orange (eyes).
Stamp text: ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / (C) Safari Ltd. / Made in china / CE 2
CE mark: Small.
TDR rating: 3/10

The first release of the remade Allosaurus was fully painted over gray hard vinyl. The base mint green color was used as an undercoat and left to dry. The dark greenish black back was painted on next, along with the pink mouth, orange eyes, and gray claws. When those dried, the Kelly green and other minor colors like claw tips, teeth, and pupils could be added. In all, 3 coats of paint would have been needed to produce this model. It originally came with the old-style black and white parchment tag, but began to ship with the newer glossy full color tag style around 1996 or 1997.

Photo with the original parchment tag.

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Mold: 4
Version: 2
Release: 1996
Status: Minor repaint/materials change

Variant type: Color vinyl
Material: Pale green vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 6 colors. Kelly green (stripes, spots); black (back, claw tips, pupil); gray (claws); off-white (teeth); pink (mouth, nostrils); orange (eyes).
Stamp text: ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / (C) Safari Ltd. / Made in china / CE 2
CE mark: Small.
TDR rating: 4/10

This is basically the same as the previous version, but it replaces the lighter green base color paint with unpainted color vinyl. Note that the "flattened hands" issue is already starting to take effect here, so whether this was a retooling or distortion of the 4th mold, it must have happened fairly early in production.

Note the flattened hands, a manufacturing issue or defect that would persist in the 3rd mold for the rest of its production.

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Mold: 4
Version: 3
Release: c. 1998
Status: Minor retool

Variant type: Color vinyl
Material: Kelly green vinyl
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Kelly green (stripes, spots); black (back, claw tips, pupil); gray (claws); off-white (teeth); pink (mouth); orange (eyes).
Stamp text: ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / (C) Safari Ltd. / Made in china / CE 2
CE mark: Large.
TDR rating: 1/10

This is another color vinyl variant, with the only changes being the switch to the larger CE mark and a darker green base vinyl color more similar to the base paint color of the original.

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Mold: 4
Version: 4
Release: c. 2004
Status: Minor repaint

Variant type: Color vinyl
Material: Pale green vinyl
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Neon green (stripes, spots); black (back, claw tips, pupil); gray (claws); off-white (teeth); pink (mouth); orange (eyes).
Stamp text: ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / (C) Safari Ltd. / Made in china / CE 2
CE mark: Large.
TDR rating: 2/10

This version of the Allosaurus figure has more mold issues or fatigue than the older versions. The texture detail is very shallow, which can be chalked up to mold fatigue, and the hands and claws are extremely compressed, almost flattened and 2-dimensional, an extreme version of the mold problems first seen in the 1996 version.

The color scheme of this version is much brighter, with almost neon green stripes and spots, though the base vinyl color is a drabber, more pale olive green than the brighter green base paint color of the original.

Two coats of paint would have been needed to produce this model - the primary greenish black back coloration plus eyes, mouth, and claws, which would be left to dry, then followed by green stripes, claw tips, pupils and teeth.

5th mold

Model number: 4007-01 / 4109-01
First release: 1995
Retired: 2012
Size: 30cm
Advertised scale: 1:40
Actual scale: 1:35

Like many other models in the mid 1990s, the Carnegie Allosaurus had a secondary mold produced, likely to increase production volume. This mold seems to have gone into use at the same time as mold 4, in around 1995. Note that it has a "3" instead of a "2" printed next to the CE mark (the "1" version likely being taken up by the the original sculpt, which remained in production for a few years). The sculpt is very similar to mold 3, but the imprint stamp is flipped, running from the tail towards the head.

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Mold: 5
Version: 1
Release: c. 1995
Status: Secondary mold

Variant type: Classic color
Material: Medium weight gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Mint green (base color); Kelly green (stripes, spots); black (back, claw tips, pupil); gray (claws); off-white (teeth); pink (mouth, nostrils); orange (eyes).
Stamp text: ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / (C) Safari Ltd. / Made in china / CE 3
CE mark: Small.
TDR rating: 4/10

This classic color version of mold 5 uses similar paint applications to the concurrently produced mold 4 versions, but reportedly has a lighter green on the back.

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Images by @thedinogeekscollection on Instagram

Mold: 5
Version: 2
Release: c. 1997

Status: Minor retool/materials change

Variant type: Color vinyl
Material: Kelly green vinyl
Paint: 6 colors. Kelly green (stripes, spots); black (back, claw tips, pupil); gray (claws); off-white (teeth); pink (mouth, nostrils); orange (eyes).
Stamp text: ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / (C) Safari Ltd. / Made in china / CE 3
CE mark: Large.
TDR rating: 7

This is an updated color vinyl version of the 5th mold (3rd revised sculpt mold, imprint marked with the number 3). It has molded green plastic instead of green paint over gray or black plastic, and an updated larger CE mark.

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Photo by indy1936

Mold: 5
Version: 3
Release: 2007
Status: Retool, repaint

Variant type: 2007 repaint
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: Matte. 7 colors. Maroon (back); blue-gray (highlights); red (horns, tongue); light gray (wash); black (claws, eyes); off-white (teeth); pink (mouth)
Stamp text: ALLOSAURUS / 10 METERS / (C) Safari Ltd. / Made in china / CE 3
CE mark: Large.
TDR rating: 2/10

Like most of the 1990s era Carnegie models, Allosaurus was given a fresh coat of paint with a new color scheme in 2007. I have only confirmed the existence of mold 5 being used for this repaint, but it's possible that mold 4 exists in this color as well. Let me know if you have one!

Photo by indy1936

Photo by indy1936

6th mold

Model number: 4109-01
First release: 2012
Retired: 2015
Size: 30cm
Advertised scale: 1:40
Actual scale: 1:35

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Mold: 6
Version: 1
Color scheme: 4
Release: 2012
Status: Retool

Variant type: 2007 repaint
Material: Hard dark gray vinyl
Paint: Matte. 7 colors. Maroon (back); blue-gray (highlights); red (horns, tongue); gray (wash); black (claws, eyes); off-white (teeth); pink (mouth)
Stamp text: Carnegie Allosaurus / (C) 2007 Safari Ltd., Miami, FL USA / Made in China / CE
CE mark: Large.
TDR rating: 2/10

Like many Carnegie models, the repainted Allosaurus was retooled and refreshed to alleviate mold fatigue and add sharpness back to the sculpt, as well as a revised belly stamp (see comparison photos below). Note that the date on the imprint stamp is now given as 2007, the year the repainted version debuted. The paint application of this model would have required two coats of paint followed by the application of the dark wash.

Comparison with the original sculpt (left)

Comparison with the green vinyl version (left). Note the mold fatigued areas on the tail and claws that have been retooled.