Bob Tavis, a name that can be brought into connection with awesome and colorful dioramas with an excellent composition....

Bob Published pictures of his latest diorama "Zoot Suit Riots" in our forum. when I noticed them, I immediately thought that these pictures deserved a special place...a place in a On Display article.

Enjoy the "Zoot Suit Riots" !!



Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Great work on the figures and background details. Nice to see something with a splash of color other than OD, now and then. The "Pachucos" are very well done, great in fact "Viva La Raza".

Not sure about any historical context but it sure looks like crazy times in the dio!! Alsmot like Keystone cops hilarious

Not quite Keysone Kops hilalrious.
See
this link for historical context.

Excellent work! tells a very interesting story. Glad to see it as a feature. Cheers Kevin

If you would care to take a look at the link that Al provided, you may want to edit your post somewhat...

Just a mention on this, in the movie 'American Me' there is quite a good segment on the Pachuchos.

Warning: this is a VERY strong movie indeed...Jim

BEST idea!
When I saw this dio I get "Hey,Pachuco!" in my ears.
The good coverpage for next album of "Royal Crown Revue"

My congratulations/
Vladimir

Excellent diorama, marvelous work on the scene and on the figures.

i like it a lot

Simply awesome work on the Zoot Suiters!

The Zoot Suit Riots are also the backdrop for the start of James Ellroy's novel 'The Black Dahlia'.

It's beautiful. It's a break from the usual war dios.

I like the sense of action.

Angela

I like the dio alot.Action,Zootsuits! A '41 cab!
My mom talked about the riots as we lived just north of L.A.Said the 'mexican guys' were jealous of the sailors stealing their women,so they rolled 'em after getting them drunk.One day after this had gone on for a while,a couple shiploads of swabbies went to the barrios and pretty much'cleaned house',so to speak.
Never a dull moment in LaLa land.
'Viva La Raza!'?That was the rally cry that started riots at my high school when I was a senior in '72 Ceasar Chavez desciples goin' to fist city with the jr.Black Panthers,and The Surfers(me)Wackin' everybody that had their shirts tucked in their pants.60 supensions of 2 weeks or more.A walkout of 200 kids for illegal rally/parade.Admin building firebombed.Opening football game of the season cancelled(damn)
Ahh,those were the good old days............
cheers!

Thanks all for the comments. I got a kick out of the Keystone Cop reference by Shermie. I am not sure how funny getting your head busted with a baseball bat is but who am I to disagree.

I LOVE the creative minds that pervade this site! WONDERFUL concept, and great execution... so where did ya get all the pieces... and how much was scratchbuilt?

Except for the car which was converted from a 1/32 diecast model everything was scratchbuilt (building, street, sidewalk, palm tree, figures, trash cans, street lamp, parking meter, etc.)

Oh man...you make me want to cry, give up the hobby and move to a monastery.

Envious doesn't even begin to cover it.

Truly in awe

I know how you feel as I have only been modeling for a few years and when I started I drooled over other's work and felt I could never get to a level I felt comfortable with or that could match theirs. However, through perseverance you can grow and you should think of every project as an opportunity to advance your skill set. Most of all learning new stuff is fun and prevents you from getting into ruts or losing interest. Also, finish everything you start as that discipline is indispensible in the long run.

Great dio, excellent work. Reminds me of the song "Zoot Suit Riot" by the Cherry Popin Dadies. If you've ever heard the song your dio fits it perfectly!

I read this diorama won the "SCAHMS 2005 Best of Show Award" !!!!

Congratulations Bob !!! A well deserved award for an excellent diorama !

Thank you. There will be an article on the piece in a forthcoming issue of Historical Miniatures.

The song "Zoot Suit Riot" by Cherry Poppin Daddies is readily available. A small speaker behind the building with the song on a loop would make this scene perfect.

Great job - wonderful mastery of the times, clothings and personalities.

PS - The period of the 'Zoot Suit Riots' was not a happy chapter in history. The police were breaking so many batons over the heads of the zoot suiters that the local movie sudios had their carpenters producing replacement out of ash, oak and maple.

I am absolutely blown away by this. Great idea!