Another rare arrival is scale boats, well at least generating news here. VMB Models has just unveiled this elegant 1:18 beauty, the Riva Aquarama with natural wood grain finish. The model itself is resin and static in nature with an array of metal etching components. The production here is limited to 199 pieces with a suggested retail of $1200 US. VMB claims delivery in later May 2022.
Product# TBD
Out of my budget bracket but I like it. Anyway, I believe plexiglass supports would’ve looked better than those black things.
This looks very much like a product by Authentic Models which retails for about 50% less. I have one and it’s beautiful.
Would be an interesting addition to my Kiade Riva boats. However, their website given on their facebook, http://www.vmb-models.com, does not exist, domain cannot be found! So there seems to be something dodgy about this. Seems like the only way to order is to write them an email. Does not seem very trustworthy, does it?
Plus, buying directly from China with the shipping risk not covered by insurance and the usual rough handling of parcels and the prospect of custom fees and all going on top of the steep price. Add the risk of this being seized by customs for not being licensed by Riva (in contrast to Kiade).
If there is no retailer selling these inside the EU, I´ll better pass on it.
It seems to be slightly off-scale too: Even if replicating the longest hull variant, this would be slightly too long, more like 1:17 which would not matter, though, it´s less noticable with boats than with cars. Even 1:20 boats display well with 1/18 cars and boats.
Price-point-wise a 1:15 Aquarama or Aquarama Special by Kiade is made from better materials and cheaper ! https://www.kiade.com/en/boutique/riva-en/aquarama-special-en/model-riva-aquarama-special-58cm-ivory-saddlery/
Unfortunately,1:15 is noticably too far off 1:18 to display with car models, but the Authentic Models is even bigger.
We reviewed the modern interpretation of the classic Aquarama, the Aquariva Super back in 2016 https://diecastsociety.com/review-autoart-maserati-quattroporte-riva/ and it is cheaper than the VMB.