We receive this request from Ken Ciak of Lod Enterprises.
LOD Enterprises is working closely with our factory on the prototypes for our second War at Troy figure set. The set will include two chariots to be helmed by a charioteer while escorting a new Greek and Trojan pose into battle.
Quick question ~ is there a preferred color that the chariot should be? Does it matter to collectors or should it be a neutral color?
Thank you in advance for any feedback and have a great holiday season.
Ken Ciak
LOD Enterprises
I myself like both the red and the green colors shown on Ken’s website.
I would prefer the chariot sets to be in a different color than the already existing blue Trojans and marble Greeks, just for the sake of a brighter, more colorful battlefield.
Ultimately, however, I intend to acquire them regardless of their color.
But I definitely appreciate the opportunity to express a preference.
If the chariots are specific to each side then I am for matching them to the current infantry colors. If not, then a neutral tan that would contrast both the Greeks and Trojans, and could also be painted.
I, too, will buy them in any color scheme.
If there is going to be one chariot for both sides I agree a neutral color like tan or light brown would be the way to go.
Maybe a generic one or two color so could be used x other companies figures as well.
If the horses will be same color as the chariot,light and.medium brown will be good.
Matching the already armies two set color will be odd w horses in blue I guess.
If horses are done in separated shaded color from chariot.Then
Metallic bronze and silver will be best x chariot as many ancient arts depicted in those colors.
Until I saw Erwin’s post, I had forgotton about the possibility of metallic colors. But since we’re talking about Ancients back in the Bronze Age, I think metallic bronze, silver, and gold would all be quite striking.
And I also like the idea of a chariot set in one color for the Greeks, and a chariot set in another color for the Trojans. When toy soldier manufacturers offer the same figure in different colors, I typically don’t select one color and leave out the other color. I almost always purchase selections in every color offered.
If it’s financially possible, I also think the horses should be “horse colors”, like brown, with the chariots and figures a different color.
I know Ken will use his own best judgment on final color selection, but, again, I appreciate the opportunity to express input. It’s always fun!
Finally, I wouldn’t normally have suggested bright green or red as a color choice, but the prototype in those colors on the LOD website look so good I really like both of them.
Ken, I have to tell you, semi-facetiously, you’re running a risk when you invite opinions as to color. The biggest fight I ever saw in my local church congregation occurred when our minister invited opinions about what color our new church carpeting should be. Everyone had their own opinion, and everyone thought other member’s opinions were all wrong. Our minister (a female) ended up saying she would use her own personal judgment and select her own personal preference (and that would be it, she declared!). Once she announced her decision (blue), everybody calmed down.
Think about Marx 54mm Fort Apache/Alamo frontiersmen. They came in tan, silver, light blue, medium blue, and finally lime green. In one set, according to Playset Magazine, they even came in red. As a kid, I liked them all, and as an adult I still like them all (except possibly for that medium, gummy, darkish, bluish-gray).
Here’s my 2.5 cents: If you can put the horses in brown or black, go with bronze for one side and maybe a dull silver or copper for the other. Because there’ll be 2 colors, you’d be sure to sell more. A medium brown if the horses will be the same color. I paint like crazy, so even if the horses were in a metallic color, that wouldn’t stop me. I don’t know how many of us get into that, though. That might be a good poll for Stad’s in general.
Greg,those colors always seem to look nice,even a little fancy looking to me,if they are a different color than the figures than can easily be used for either side I would think !
I saw the bright green chariot shown on your website, it’s a very detailed design. If it is molded separately from the horses, I agree with the others that the horses should be offered in a variety of actual horse colors. The horses have many interesting details as well, which invite additional painting. Will they be two-horse vehicles as shown, or can the team be expanded to a four horse rig? Metallic hues for the chariots would be very attractive and would add to the nostalgic toy qualities of the item, though the actual chariots were probably wood and painted in bright colors. Will the chariot also be offered as a model kit, molded in high impact styrene?
Colour is spelled C-O-L-O-U-R eh LOL.
The idea of metallic come to my mine by remembering how well the Reamsa Masala and Ben Hur chariot were reissue in silver and bronze with horses in white/cream ,brown or black.
I ended having 8 of them and swapping the characters figures x other riders/archers. As I also have the Atlantic ,of which Greek and Egyptians are much nicer as roman material usually if keep build has tendency of crack /brake in the front I always did not like the same pattern colors they did with as not showing up w figure, so I end painting those .The horses in color combination will be great. But I know will cost much more production .
Early Trojan and Greeks chariot are derivate from Asian/African( Hittite ,Egyptian Babylonian, Assyrian and early Persian) models , generally w 2 horses. The 4 horses were most common later, first introduced by mid BC era Persian empires, later adopted most by post classic Hellenic/roman era .
The Metropolitan museum of art in NYC has one original remain and two replicas bases in some parts of Trojans and Greeks in exhibition on 3 er floor .Very impressive machines, also has an almost Etruscan no war chariot early period original all adorned in bronze (Monteleone chariot).It also has one of largest original collection of plenty original helmets, armor, shields and spear tips plus swords/else from early Trojan and Hellenic era till late classic Greece. In the engraving in bases,painting repaired and else you can clearly see the metallic colors overwhelming used in the chariot parts as paint or real metal parts added to chariot body.
I also red that the metallic color(in most parts shine laminas of metal) was used with other purpose too such as to form massive reflective effect in front towards enemy once sun shine on front chariot, giving a blinding and intimidating effect to the foes facing them wile advancing with the bowmen shooting .
Thanks for the info Erwin,nice job !
Tan
Ken, now that you’ve solicited our opinions, and undoubtedly talked to others as well as put some thought into the matter yourself, aren’t you going to share you’re decision with us? We’re all interested!!