Back in 1975, Suzuki Masao opened the model retail store Hobby Shop Max a.k.a. “MAX” in Itabashi and it would later adopt the name Green Max (to mean green band displayed udner the side window of a green car).
Known for their catchphrase in the ’70s as “Tsukuru tanoshimi-ippai!” (Lots of fun to Create!) for their pre-assembled kits, Green Max has since moved on to “Tsukuru, Ugokasu, Atsumeru” (Make, Move, Collect).
Part of the reason why Suzuki wanted to create his own bbusiness was because he enjoyed model railroads and wanted to do his own layout, “Sutsuya Express Electric Railway” in a model railroad magazine.
Green Max would be known for their finished and unfinished works. In other words, their unfinished works are for those who strictly want to build the train or structure from scratch and be responsible for painting them.
Personally, I wanted to give an unpainted structure kit a try with the Green Max N-Gauge Structure Kit (2160).
My goal was to never feature these structures as priority structures but to feature them as background structures. Especially near my shrine area in my diorama. As the structures are traditional Japanese.
All the parts are gray but one of the positive aspects of this traditional Japanese structure is it comes with A LOT of STICKERS that could easily make a home, restaurant, medical office and more. But please note, like many railway model stickers, it is required to use a blade for precise cutting of the stickers as they are not pre-cut.
So, the parts come in runners, similar to gunpla. Where you will need a model cutting pliers to separate the piece from the runner and leaving no nubs. You will need some modeling cement, glue or something that will keep the pieces together because they don’t snap in and stay permanently.
You may want to paint the pieces beforehand to add some color or to separate the colors of one building from another.
The instructions are clear and both buildings are the same structure, but Green Max includes additional pieces as well as these plastic window/doors (in brown and blue) that can be glued to your structure’s interior. This will make them look different.
In addition, you can put LED lighting if needed, as the interior is hollow.
For me, this building is only for background, so I don’t need to paint it. Granted, if I had to do it again, I would only paint the roof top with a darker gray and then keep everything else as is. Or paint in beige or brown for the wall structures.
For the most part, it’s not difficult to put together, but you will want to make sure that whatever glue or modeling cement you put on has dried before attaching the next wall. Don’t rush it. Take your time!
The two structures are inexpensive at Y1,573 which as of today is under $12 US. So, it’s a great price, especially for the sticker labels alone (you get so many that you can use them elsewhere and they are very good stickers)!
Overall, I’m delighted about getting the Green Max N-Gauge Structure Kit (2160). Very good structures for a low price, but the stickers that came with these structures alone are so wonderful that I may purchase another!
Recommended!
