KSN Midori: a brief history

A quick look at the former Japanese kit model company KSN Midori (1960-1977).
Here is a link to Japanese website about Midori.
ameblo.jp/pors...
Outtro song with lyrics by ddreamberry2: • The Details On The Ins...

[@matthewhopson964]

Thank you so much Max. I've always wanted to know more about Midori but have never been able to find anything.

[@maxsmodels]

not a lot out there

[@jamesdziendziel9187]

I suffer the same fate----I can't help but complete the interior of an airplane only to cement both halves together, knowing that no one can see it........but I know it's in there :)

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

I have not heard of them but have seen one of those propellor enterprises before. It was meant to hang from a ceiling and "fly" in circles. The only Doyusha kit I have built was a Ford Capri mk1. It was supposed to be motorised but I used the interior from a scrap ESCI Ford Escort Mk2 in it instead of the flat plate with seat backs that were in the kit. Still have it in fact even though I built it about thirty years ago.

[@mbryson2899]

I saw one of their kits, early 70s, in a rummage shop on Maxwell Street in Chicago. It was one of their submarines. I opted for a 1/72 Yak-9D instead by I don't remember who, as it was less expensive. Great song!

[@maxsmodels]

thanks

[@chrispacer4231]

I have the SPECIAL HOBBY VINDICATOR 1/72 . Haven’t touched it yet. Adding detail is fun. But it is a lot of work. Sometimes it makes for a loooooong build. Simple details with a good paint job/weathered look is very satisfying. Didn’t expect another MAXMODELS episode. Thank you sir, you made my evening. COFFEE TOMORROW???

[@maxsmodels]

probably

[@FastSports-ScaleCarGarage]

Thanks Max! Some of the slot car bodies appear to have been 'borrowed' from other companies, specifically the 1/24 scale Ferrari 158 that is VERY similar to the car manufactured by Cox. Thanks again, keep 'em coming!

[@maxsmodels]

color me shocked

[@moosay4606]

Great work max, yet again. It'd be cool to see a history on Rubicon models sometime.

[@maxsmodels]

That is a new one on me. I think people are starting model companies just to keep me running around like using a laser pointer to play with a cat. 🤣🤔

[@garfieldsmith332]

@@maxsmodels Using the laser with the cat. Aha, the cat has you trained. I know this from experience, Dogs have owners, cats have staff.

[@Banner_Bearer_of_Eternity]

Never actually heard of this company, but the story is fascinating. If I understand correctly the language of our East neighbors, Midori means wether blue or green (so you’re supposed to cross the street on BLUE traffic light - be prepared!). It also can be interpreted as Spring Blossom, quick grow, rapid development (if I understand correctly the language of our neighbors on ISS). Japan is cool anyway!

[@petermoscone3115]

great tune..I always detail & paint the unseen areas..I build for my eyes only, and when I look at my kits I can see those areas in my minds eye and take satisfaction in knowing that I am looking at a COMPLETE model...

[@alandouglas8939]

I built a Midori Seaview kit back in the day. Somehow we got supply down under in New Zealand and I was a big Voyage fan so I had to save my pocket money to buy one. It had an electric motor and a water tight compartment for the motor and batteries. There was a big radar antenna on the top of the sail that was pushed back by the flow of water to elevate the fins on the rear so the sub would surface.. sort of! There was also a flying sub that would clip into the bottom of the bow. Not very accurate at all, even to my young eyes at the time, but I had fun sailing it in the bath. More of a toy than a scale model kit, but I had a Seaview so I was very happy. Keep up the great videos.

[@lancerevell5979]

Never heard of Midori models. Something to keep an eye out for.

[@mrains100]

I may have heard of KSN the in modeling magazines. Thank you!

[@BigLisaFan]

Don't think I ever saw one. If I did, the subject matter was outside of my interests so probably never noticed the manufacturer.

[@CAPNMAC82]

Built the Tai Chi with stand, which followed me around for a while, but like all things when one moves often, managed to not make a trip on packing up somehow. Started one of the castles, but traded that to another modeler who was more keen on whatever landscape scale the thing was in.

[@modelermark172]

This was interesting. I never heard of Midori, until now. Nor do I think I ever built one of their kits issued under a different brand name. That 1/24 scale Stanley Steamer looks like it might have been an interesting model to have. To the best of my knowledge, the Stanley Steamer was issued in every scale BUT 1/24 - 1/25 . . . . Thanks for posting this, and welcome back!

[@modelermark172]

Actually, I stand corrected: Hudson Miniatures "Old Timers" series of mixed-media model car kits DID offer a Stanley Steamer in 1/25 scale in the early 1950's. What I meant to say is that - to the best of my knowledge - other than the Midori offering shown in your video, I am not aware of any all-plastic assembly model kit of a Stanley Steamer in 1/25 scale. A modeler can dream, (or, failing that, scratch-build,) can't he . . . ?

[@SueBobChicVid]

That song!... LOL!

[@garfieldsmith332]

Thanks for the history. You also corrected me. In another post I mentioned I got a slew of IMAI spaceship kits in the 60's. At least that is what I thought. Turns out they were Midori. I recognized a lot of the box art on those spaceships kits. I built a lot of those kits. When built up, they were toys. Little detail but the features worked and several were windup or battery driven; clockwork and electric motors included. The "Astro Boat Super 7" comes from the film Battle In Outer Space. If I remember, the plastic was a little thick and some parts were a soft bendable plastic.

[@maxsmodels]

It gets confusing, especially with companies constantly swapping molds.

[@garfieldsmith332]

@@maxsmodels Yes. I only remember IMAI because of Thunderbirds. and Capt. Scarlet. I never seen a Doyusha or Bandai kit until the mid 1980s. So I presumed it was IMAI until I saw the box art. Paramount also re-boxed a lot of the Japanese kits from IMAI and Midori and others as well in the 1970s'.

[@tgmccoy1556]

Tim McCoy here .Heard of them . Never had built one Had a great idea bet the prop driven Enterprise was to hang on a string . Now for a Klingon Warbird,hang them on a mobile, wind it up, and they would chase each other . No, l haven't grown up. Just got older.

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

Nice presentation Max. Thanks for sharing

[@tonerotonero1375]

I know Doyusha but I never heard of Midori. Nice discovery and sweet video, as usual. Thanks!

[@crashdive100]

Wow, was hoping you'd get to Midori! I had about 6 of the science fiction kits in the 60s and LOVED them. Yes, the box art was dynamic and the kit didn't quite live up to the illustrations but the play-value was fine with me since I was 10 or 11 years old. That ASTRO BOAT from X From Outer Space was actually dead on to movie miniature. They produced the "flying vibrator with tank treads" from The Green Slime and it was also very well done. "Planetoid Echo 7" and "Space Ship Arrow" were among my faves. Pilot and crew figures were busts of what looked more like race car drivers than astronauts or spacemen.Weapons and missiles were spring-loaded so they'd actually fire. I think Paramount released some of Midori's sci fi stuff in Canada. With the skills I have now I sure wish I could have those kits again because they would definitely look like the box art when I finished them. Ahhhhhh childhood. Glad that 10-year-old is still running around in my head!

[@maxsmodels]

The Green Green Slime...we loved that flick as kids. I never forgot that theme

[@davidnickels3325]

Entex also sold some of the Midori kits. And, some were in UPC boxes alongside the similar Marusan kits.

[@stevemercer952]

Many years ago, it would be about 1980 or 81 I bought the Hornet Milan rocket launcher and converted it into a Humber Pig APC for which there was no kit available then. I dont think it is now. It made a made a good basis for a diorama set in N Irland. I was in MAFVA at the time and it made an interesting change from the usual Panthers and Tigers. I can smell the coffee from here!

[@gustavoantonelli]

I wasn't aware of ksn Midoiri. Max, you are a the master of the dry brushing! And the song, amazing!!

[@maxsmodels]

u r way to kind

[@rogerhinman5427]

Oldmodelkits has 3 KSN Midori kits for nearly 1/4 the prices on eBay. They also have a couple Doyusha kits, one of which may be a Midori mold since it is a propeller-driven u-boat. EDIT: Now there's one Doyusha. I couldn't pass up the T-6 Texan.

[@maxsmodels]

I need to check that out.

[@PhotoFlight]

They sing the song of my people

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Fascinating. Had never heard of them.

[@luislealsantos]

Another great video and soundtrack, suitable to compete on MTV (models to view) awards.

[@jamesjustice4515]

Love the history u tell. Thanks young man. God bless u and family

[@marcbrasse747]

I've actually never heard of them but I'd love or have a few of those sci fi kits. The Japanese do seem to have a nack for fantasy models anyway, with or without the accompanying TV-series. So called Western "fantasy" models are often only rehashed versions of existing craft. Transformers and stuff. Still Transformers came about because Mattel was looking for an overall label to sell cheap imported Japanese stuff under. Sadly they did not import that special spirit along with it.

[@kennethkwilinski4899]

I have built a few Doyusha Japanese Castle kits. I used them as part of a kit bash with my Godzilla builds. Doyusha castle kits are very detailed and come with loads of extra stuff like trees and grass. And I should mention they pack everything so well in the box. Cardboard supports, bagged parts and extras. Have a Stringray kit that I haven’t built. Yes it has a motor included. Which I probably wouldn’t use. My build will end up as a diorama.

[@maxsmodels]

post a video of your builds. Midori did one castle but I could not find a good picture and after I made the video I realized it was on the cover of their catalog

[@kennethkwilinski4899]

@@maxsmodels I can't figure out how to post a photo and you want a video!

[@masudashizue777]

I had their Stingray submarine model in all 3 sizes. If I recall correctly, the larger kits came with tubes of paint inside.

[@SueBobChicVid]

I recall seeing something from them on the shelf somewhere but their box art scared me away. If you can't make the art look realistic I have little hope for the plastic.

[@johnwilliams7102]

Your historical presentations are cool beans.

[@maxsmodels]

thanks

[@6TEESRULE]

Hey Max luv your model company videos / very informative! / Can you do a video on Bilek models / built a Blohm Voss years ago and it was a nice kit.

[@maxsmodels]

new one on me

[@whiterose7055]

Thanks Max ! Love it ...

[@CheshireTomcat68]

A 1/24th Bentley Blower. Quite a few other companies seem to have one of those. Wonder who was first?

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Another cool vid Max.......

[@Slickboot21]

Your exit musik is quite intense. Made me feel...guilty...somehow.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

While the models in his "Supermarionation" shows are second to none, I always thought the puppets Gerry Anderson used were creepy...LOVED U.F.O. and Space: 1999 though!

[@Paladin1873]

UFO - yes; Space: 1999 - no.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

@@Paladin1873 I really got into Space: 1999 as a kid...not so much now. It seems the "Suck Fairy" got it...

[@Paladin1873]

@@farpointgamingdirect The premise is so far beyond absurd that, even though I enjoyed the special effects, their concept of physics went beyond the wildest fantasies of Doctor Who.

[@jackiewiley3603]

I think I would remember if I put one together but I don't think I did before almost $800 that's not going to happen but it was a cool video I like it keep them coming thanks Max

[@13bravo72]

Nice vid! Would like to see if you could done on Tasca/Asuka models. Great kits!

[@maxsmodels]

I will take a look

[@michaelhintz5870]

Nice Video!! Love the song!!!

[@jamesjustice4515]

Propeller wow!! Love that seaview

[@jamesjustice4515]

This is sledgemaster. Love all those models ur showing

[@robingray1302]

I did own an example of their vintage Alfa Romeo kit but the contents were very disappointing compared to the box art, their Alfa Canguro slot car kit on the other hand seems to have achieved near mythical status, ironically I've got a '69 Auto World catalogue with the body kits remaindered at 3 for a dollar so presumably the slot car kits had already bombed by then ! Motorised car kits were an common Japanese quirk, I remember even the early versions of the legendary Tamiya 1/12th scale racing cars were motorised, like you were going to let them run across the living room floor to self destruct on the nearest skirting board....

[@jamesjustice4515]

You do beautiful work of art on your models

[@estorey1465]

great video, as usual

[@ualuuanie]

To Max and fellow modelers out there just curious. Some of these kits come with very detail interiors but sadly upon assembling it all gets covered up do you still paint the details or just assemble and cover up all those details?

[@maxsmodels]

Thus the subject of the outtro sing.

[@karlrechsteiner692]

thanks for the series like the lindberg . how about dragon ?i am a huge fan . But dont really seem to be in it anymore

[@nunosilva5918]

My uncle left me what i think is a Midori model it's a 1/40 Panahrd EBR 75A which is missing a few parts but have the hull with wheels, the turret but missing the clockwork apparatus.

[@derekowens1817]

Midori did do the Panhard armoured car in their range in 1/40. Kingkit have one in stock ,if you want to see the box art. D

[@tinmansscalemodels]

Nope, didn't even know they existed

[@markfrench8892]

A quick language lesson... Midori means Green in Nihongo. 😆

[@johnbryant8603]

♥️🙏🏽

[@kenshores9900]

Where do you dig those songs up?

[@maxsmodels]

That one ddreamberry2 and I put together ourselves

[@chrispacer4231]

Wasn’t there a company PEERLESS MAX. I think they did some soft skin vehicles. DODGE TRUCKS. Not sure, correct me please?????????

[@maxsmodels]

Yes, there were 3 versions, Max, Peerless Max and a German one named Max that all used the molds.