BUILD A BOND BUG!!! Making the Airfix Vintage Classics kit

[@themajesticmagnificent386]

“The Bond Bug”, reminds of the time I came down gastric flu while watching,”The Spy that loved me”,as a kid.!🤢 But putting that memory behind me,(forgive the pun🥴)..A great build video of this classic kit which is tempting.🤔The figure is so 70’s you can taste the Spangles.!. Airfix are nailing it with their choice of New and classic releases..All the best Gary👍

[@modelnut]

Definitely a classic, still looks great, very retro. Looks like he is off to the local disco. 😂

[@barrywalker8790]

Hi Gary well didn’t do anything for me but than again l am not a car person but saying that it was interesting to see you make it and if you enjoyed doing l enjoyed watching so it’s a 👍 from me mate

[@garys_stuff]

Long as you're enjoying it that's all I care about!

[@kjflynn3379]

My brother had one of these, a real one, in the early '80's. I am not sure that the kit isnt more complex than the real thing! It was a scary beast, especially when driven by someone more in tune with riding a motorbike with or without a sidecar. Horrribly unstable in a braking turn when all the weight shifts to the unwheeled front corners, but otherwise a bit of fun. Good representation rendered in the kit; the orange looks a particularly good redition of the gel-coat finish of the real fibregalss shell.

[@scottlee9832]

Just purchased a Airfix Bond Bug and even though it looks impressive I have to say the instructions aren't clear and the chassis is a nightmare to build. I wouldn't class this is a skill 1, according to Airfix. It's too complex, and there are issues which I experiencing. However it's good value for money. Thanks for putting this video on its been helpful. 🙂

[@polygonalmasonary]

Figure Ross off friends….I’m an 8!! 😂😂😂🇬🇧

[@Adam_Boots]

I've been thinking about getting one of these. I wouldn't paint it stock though. I'm tempted to paint one as if it was a shuttlepod from Star Trek. It has the same sort of shape and would be something different. Similar to how they modified a Smart Car in Red Dwarf to resemble Starbug.

[@johncunningham6928]

It's actually more like the Workbee from The Motion Picture onwards...

[@julianmhall]

@Adam_Boots What about replicating Top Gear's attempt at simulating a Shuttle using a Robin Reliant? :)

[@Adam_Boots]

It could work well as a workbee. I just like the idea of adding fake nacelles and using it as a runaround. The back window could be modified to resemble the Galileo impulse engine. Now that you've given me the idea I'm now tempted to get two. One for a pod the other for a bee.

[@Adam_Boots]

@@julianmhall I'd do that with a model of a Reliant Robin as it already exists.

[@leifvejby8023]

Two days, and you had a new part, that was quick - I am still waiting for the right fuselage half for a FROG Beaufort!

[@randalscott7224]

Now THAT is patience!

[@leifvejby8023]

@@randalscott7224 :-D

[@jeffholt9437]

1970?

[@leifvejby8023]

@@jeffholt9437 There about, yes!

[@smeghead6123]

I had this kit with the same rear section problem. I ended up making a part for the rear window and parcel shelf, it came out ok. Perhaps I should have just got in touch with Airfix.

[@garys_stuff]

From what I understand, it cost Airfix a lot, and I mean a lot, to re-mould frames so they could replace these parts for customers. You do wonder if harsh words about the issue were spoken with the manufacturers as a result. They should have been!

[@andrewwilshaw5250]

Nice to see an ordinary person making the model, and not a professional who always makes me feel disappointed with my own work. Cheers and keep it up. Cheers.

[@garys_stuff]

Exactly what I'm trying to be! Cheers, G

[@gwheregwhizz]

At least Jason King in his beach buggy had a girlfriend. No such luck for James May in his Bond Bug.

[@davidjefferis4467]

A fellow art student had one of these back in the day. Painted up in WW I Red Baron colours, it looked pretty good, especially with him clad in leathers, goggles, and an old flying helmet.

[@garys_stuff]

I am so tempted to get another one now, just to do that!!!

[@iankerridge5720]

Beautiful build, Gary. Entertaining and informative, as usual. Not my kind of kit subject, so I probably won't get one, but again, great video .

[@BobMuir100]

Well Gary a very pleasant model, difficult to say much more than that about it. Interesting the part was out to you so fast, do recall the discussion last Summer we had about spares and how fast Airfix got them out?😢 Bob England

[@garys_stuff]

I think in this case there were so many people reporting the exact same issue with a brand new release that they have pressed loads of replacements and shipped them over so they are ready to send them out and be amazing. What it doesn't address is the lack of quality control in the first place...

[@MillwalltheCat]

Good tutorial, and thanks for pointing out the pitfalls for the less experienced modeller. It was moulded in white plastic when I bought one - quite a few years ago!

[@DutchDaveModels]

Crazy little car 🚙 Nicely built Gary ✨👍✨

[@stiffysmiffy]

Gary- as a bond bug owner the steering is shown wrong on this model. The drop arm should be on the off side and drops down to meet the horizontal bar. The hole in the steering box should be on the other side so it fits into the steering column.

[@nikbarr1721]

as you say its the same as on a robin i believe and ive had a few of them over the years bard to find a good one now.

[@nikjohnson9968]

well despite all your problems with this kit, it looks like you have still got the first true build video onto you tube, well done Gary. think i might have to build one of these looks great. well done

[@garys_stuff]

I am surprised - I thought I'd be well down the list with it being late arriving and having the parts issue! Must be why it's doing well...

[@johnscarsandstuff]

Great video, Gary. I think the correct term for the pieces that attached the axle to the chassis is, "radius arms". I guess the roof decal can be trimmed down, if necessary? I'd rather it was too long than too short. Also, credit to Airfix, the side screens look really effective. I was slightly worried that the wavy effect wouldn't look convincing.

[@Tonyblack261]

Thanks for the warning about the parcel shelf. I just checked my kit and it seems to be okay.

[@TringmotionCoUk]

I double checked the cutaway, the steering is right

[@StevenPotts-ij9ue]

Just enjoyed this video, with acup of tea and some nice biscuits, very relaxing. My kit came with the pointy bit on the parcel shelf too. I'm looking forward to building it as I am only doing small 'quick' builds at the moment to get my mojo back, many thanks, great video.

[@garys_stuff]

I'm sure you'll love it. With a couple of bits that'll keep you thinking (front steering in fact) the rest goes together very nicely and the modern transparent parts work very well.

[@flapsmcginty4039]

Nice video as always. I’ve just started mine and ran into similar issues as you with the front suspension/steering assembly as well as the short shot on the rear panel. The customer service from Airfix was amazing though, can’t fault that! Some of the instructions are a bit unclear too. Overall though so far the kit is going together remarkably well for a 50 odd year old tooling!

[@kitbag9033]

Looks good. I built this a child in the 70s, as an adult i seem to have got two kits (mainly becausei forgot I'd preordered). There are some good videos on KZbin of the full size vehicle with some excellent detail shots, though apart from rear view mirrors, there's nothing missing from this boxing.

[@tjsogmc]

I've always loved doing these oddball kits of obscure subjects or whimsy. After all, how many Bf109's can you make before falling asleep at the workbench? These odd kits always have some challenges, but that's what makes them fun.

[@davidgoodchildcouk]

I'm glad I watched this, I couldn't understand how to fit the exhaust, but I can see clearly now that the one in my kit is missing the end that marries up to the manifold on the engine. Never mind, I've bodged it now...😉

[@julianmhall]

Lovely job! WRT the steering box I've had a look at a couple of diagrams online. Hard to tell as they're right hand drive and this is left. As for the replacement part, the pointy bit on the parcel shelf is obviously for passengers you don't like *lol*

[@garys_stuff]

This one is right hand drive, as I think they all were unless they were subsequently converted. It would be quite a job to change the steering arm and box to LHD I think...

[@speedymg1962]

Hi Gary, I think you're right about the steering box, the instructions tell you to put it on the wrong way round, not sure about the rear mudguards either on the real car they look a lot more "stubby"👍

[@soppdrake]

Cool little model! Maybe there is some after market platform boots so he can accelerate 😊

[@jaws848]

Intresting subject Gary

[@chrisfirth1803]

The orange paint looks good Gary, got a good shine on it

[@soundwavs1961c]

Did you touch up the interior around the seats?? Otherwise this is awesome!

[@leddyzee247]

Love that Bug, great job and dig the groooovy closing music too. Maybe an electric car for the future….lol

[@guidor.4161]

I'm still waiting for mine, they aren't available everywhere outside the UK yet it seems. As you mention IBG and Miniart truck kits are hard to beat for detail and build complexity...

[@PanzermansBunker]

Cool build of a Bond secret agent machine. Kind of wacky looking......not a car sub but cool. Love the painting of the Bond figure. Bill

[@garys_stuff]

Of course this has nothing to do with the James Bond franchise (the lawyers insist it must be pointed out) - the car was made by Bond Motors Ltd and any resemblance to a fictional secret service agent is entirely coincidental. Didn't hurt sales though...

[@marksinthehouse1968]

There was quite a few if those around west London in the early 70s ,but,cut to 1985 there’s me 17 years old just passed my test driving my shiny mk3 escort just passing the master Robert on the A4 I look in the mirror and one of these goes nodding and farting past me at warp factor 9 hehe all my family couldn’t move with laughter especially the verbals I came out with 😂😂😂😂,great job mate you cheered me up I’ll be on later pal Mark 😊😊

[@garys_stuff]

Wow, a Mark 3? in '85 I was stooging about in a Mk.1 1100 but with the 1600 engine transplanted into it. Thought I was the dog's whatsits but probably looked a right gear knob.

[@marksinthehouse1968]

@@garys_stuff hehe I got it on the never never I was on £110 a week then as a postal cadet prior at 18 being a postman driver which I done for 27 years mine was a 1.3L in Nordic blue

[@Heardman1958]

I remember this kit being released the 1st time round and it didn't float my boat then. Still doesn't now😮😊

[@garethjones9371]

Hi Gary.....I will watch this later but in the meantime any idea when you will be doing the build video for the Airfix Mitchell Bomber or have I missed that ? I appreciate your busy. Gareth

[@garys_stuff]

It is in paint as I write Gareth, so tomorrow or the day after...

[@EM-wd2vg]

Gary, as someone getting back into modelling after two decades can you recommend a decent starter airbrush?

[@garys_stuff]

You might like to try the Gaahleri GHAD-39, see my review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIrWiZ6Hjq6HebM Also, I have some stuff coming from Neoeco soon, another low-cost brand.

[@LonePiper9599]

Next it’ll be a Triumph TR7. Full disclosure I’d buy that kit in a heartbeat, I owned a TR7.

[@oranda15]

Excellent video, thanks. May I ask what glue do you use to join the painted parts together as they seem fully painted with no plastic to plastic joins?

[@garys_stuff]

Regular polystyrene cement. If the parts are very painted and varnished I'll sand the joint slightly.

[@oranda15]

@@garys_stuff Thanks Gary. Is that the thin stuff or the old fashioned glue I remember from years ago?

[@jaws848]

If anyone from Airfix is watching this and you still have the tooling can we PLEASE have a reissue of the 1/12 Suzuki TM-400 "Cyclone" Motocross bike as a Vintage Classic.

[@emmabird9745]

Hi Gary. Where's the backdrop? Sparkford?

[@iannicholls7476]

Nice work Gary. I’m just about to start mine so watching this has been very informative. Regarding part 32 I wonder if there is some damage to the tool which can’t be repaired and the factory had been asked to modify the parts by hand.

[@garys_stuff]

That's a very interesting point Ian. I know that Plastech, who do the 1/24 Spitfire, has the ability to make alterations to tooling if needed, so it's entirely possible there was an issue that was corrected onsite. I suspect Airfix have ordered up a whole bunch of corrected frames so they can service the numerous spares requests in a timely manner!

[@MillwalltheCat]

I think part 32 was the result of a 'short shot', where the injected plastic fails to fully fill the mould.

[@NorthernerInSpace]

Great, thanks! Interested to know what orange paint you used and whether you put it over a gloss prime coat or polished/varnished it - you got it nice and shiny!

[@garys_stuff]

I used a base coat of mog One Shot white with a couple of drops of red to make a pink primer, then two coats of Vallejo model air 71.083 orange. On top of that were two coats of Amy Painter gloss varnish.

[@NorthernerInSpace]

@@garys_stuff. Great, thanks for that. You made a really nice job of it.

[@gavinblackburn3105]

the figure looks like a young Gary .

[@turtle-gf6wv]

To be quite honest i wont buy one,£13 for a car that you nearly need a microscope to see it,why not do it in 1/25 or 1/18 scale but 1/32 is a ridiculous size for a car which was not big in real life.