Bolesław Gładych was fifth (or second according to US methodology) Polish ace pilots of the WW2. As a restless spirit he was a person with an interesting history, worth to share.
At the outbreak of World War II Bolesław Gładych was still trained in the famous Eaglet School in Poland but he didn’t magage to join the fight during September 1939. He was evacuated to France where he became a part of I/145 Warsaw fighter squadron equipped with unsuccessfull Caudron CR-714. His victory roll started in June 1941 during service in 303 fighter squadron.
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Being a restless spirit as many fighter pilots he was suspended for the fighter duties. The help came to him uexpectedly while Frank Gabreski - squadron leader of 61FS invited Polish airmen to his unit as a guest pilots. They can get acquainted with the P47 Thunderbolt plane. One of them was Bolesław Gładych
Gładych was able to exploit all advantages of "Jug" as the most of his personal victories were claimed in 1944 during his service in 61FS.
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Gładych was also known as a Fw190 supressor. He shot down the greatest number of those planes among all of Polish pilots.
The most of his personal planes were marked with "penguin" (numbered continuously from 1 to 5). The first "Pengie" was painted on Spitfire Mk Vb from 302 Polish RAF squadron while the last: on P47M from 61FS.
He remained in 61FS till the end of the war in Europe. He refused to go back to Poland (controlled by Soviets) and settled down in US.
The collection of personal planes flown by Bolesław Gładych contain of: French CR714, British Spitfire Mk II, Spitfire Mk V, P47 Razorback (version D11-22) and P47 Bubbletop (versions D28 and M). The decals range fo the Gładych collection was designed - as usual = by Arek Stamm.
The very first plane flown operational by Bolesław Gładych was Caudron CR-714 number 13 from I/145 Varsovie squadron. Unfortunately he didn't manage to gain any successes on that plane.
In our game CR714 is Underpowered plane (with bonus to be Outmaneouvered). Playing C714 in Blood Red Skies you can be sure to outnumber the opponent (as a C714 is rather low cost aircraft). The model is available in Planeprinter range as a STL file.
Another plane flown by Bolesław Gładych was Spitfire Mk IIb in 303 Polish RAF squadron. His second Spitfire was also the first Pengie in Gładych's collection: Spitfire Mk Vb from 302 Polish RAF squadron
Spitfire Mk V is a good option for the 1941: it is well armed fighter
with acceptable agility and still Tight Turning. Model of Spitfire Mk V
is available in Roc-Works range.
The very first Thunderbolt and the Pengie II was P47 Razorback D-11. In our game Thunderbolt is a extremely well armed and Robust plane. Its weaknesses are low maneouverability and high cost. The first implies vulnerability while tailed, second means that the opponent will probably have more senior pilots.
My Razorbacks came from Planeprinter range, there is also resin Warlordgames model available on the market.
Pengie III was also Razorback flown in July 1944, overall metal with invasion stripes on lower surfaces.
The replacement of Razorbacks into Bubbletops took place during summer 1944. The Pengie IV is P47D28 painted in grey on grey with Sky under surfaces. This plane was also marked with invasion stripes on the lower surfaces.This Jug was one of the first with victory roll painted on the fuselage. You can see the Yellowman among the others. This is reminder of one funny situation:. Once upon a time Gładych attack the enemy fighter. After the very first series towards the german fighter, enemy pilot became so frightened that he decided to bailout (not even trying to dodge). Since then one of Gładych's victory is marked with yellowman.
My Bubbletops came - as the others - from Planeprinter range and are 3d printed models. For the Pengie IV I'd chosen Light Grey on Dark Grey on upper surfaces and Sky type S on the lower surfaces.
The very last in the collection is Pengie V. It was P47M. The model was painted with Dark Prussian Blue and Alluminium underside.
Most of the Gładych's Thunderbolts were marked with the letter M. Probably it could refer to the Gładych nickname: "Mike Killer"
Mike Killer Gładych was a Thiunderbolt expert. He was able to manage with all advantages of this monster. According to this I've chosen Tail Snapper ace skill for him that doubles firepower of the plane during tailing. The second skill is True Grit which gives an additional opportunity to survive the accident. During one of his missions against german airfield Gładych's plane was strongly damaged. Above the channel the engine stoppped but pilot was able to glide his plane to the land area.
Thunderbolt being so heavy fighter need an Agility expert, that's why I gave Gładych +1AG. The cost of this named pilot would be 130pts which is comparable to other pilots equipped with such skills.
