Jan Zumbach known under the nickname of "Donald" was a fifth most efficient Polish fighter pilot during the WW2. He started his career in famous 111 fighter "Kościuszko" squadron before the war but ... wasn't able to join the fight in 1939 due to his injury inflicted during the training flight. Being evacuated to France he joined the Polish Air Force and was posted to the teritorial defence element within GC I/55. He made operational flights on many French fighter planes including Morane Ms-406, Bloch MB-152, Hawk H75A, Koolhoven FK58 and even Arsenal VG-33 but didn't manage to open his victory roll.
I was able to collect Jan Zumbach aircrafts due to the courthesy of good collegue: Arek Stamm who provided special decal set. The set consists of 7 planes starting from pre-war PZL11 ending with his personal Mustang Mk III.
The first plane in the collection is PZL11 number 1 from 111 fighter squadron flown by Zumbach before the break out of the WW2. The model comes from Roc-Works range. I painted them with Hataka (authentic) shades
The second aircraft flown by Zumbach on May 1940 were Morane Ms-406 marked with GC I/55. The model comes from Planeprinter range. As usual I used Hataka range early war dedicated paints.
The third on the list is Curtiss H75A also flown by Zumbach in GC I/55. My model also comes from Planeprinter range and was marked with the same range Hataka paints.
After the fall of France Zumbach was transferred to England and joined just formed 303 "Kościuszko" squadron. The battle of Britain was the great opportunity for Zumbach to show his fighter quality. He claimed 8 victories on Hurricane Mk I. Most of his kills were Bf-109 even though German fighter exceed Hurricane with all main parameters.
My Hurricane Mk I is Planeprinter 3d printed model painted with typical early war British scheme: Dark Earth/Dark Green/Sky. RF-F flown by Zumbach was the copy marked with the final Polish score after Battle of Britain: 126 German kills
Another Plane flown By Jan Zumbach was Spiftire Mk II: "Impregnable" marked with Pluto. My model as many others come from the Planeprinter range and was painted in the early war RAF scheme (just realized that spinner in 1941 need to be in Sky not black).
Almost entire fighter career of Jan Zumbach as within 303 squadron. In 1942 he became a squadron leader. The most iconic Jan Zumbach's aircraft was Spitfire Mk Vb marked with Donald Duck with full victory roll and squadron leader badge. In fact there were at least three Donald Duck Spitfires each with different pose of the character.
My Spitfire Mk Vb is a 3d printed model and comes from Roc-Works range. As all of my models it was painted with Hataka dedicated range paints.
Being highly talented and experienced pilot Jan Zumbach was posted to High Flying School in Eddleton. In 1944 he became a leader of 133 Polish fighter wing as an Acting Wing commander. His personal plane was Mustang Mk III marked with JZ. On tihs plane he claimed his last victory above Holland during operaton Market Garden.
My Mustang Mk III is 3d printed model and comes from Roc-Works range. It was painted with typical late war scheme (Ocean Grey/Dark Green/Medium Sea Grey) with identification markings (white stripes on wings and tail, Sky strip on fuselage and Yellow leading edges.
On April 1945 Jan Zumbach became Prisoner of War in the very hilarious way. Visiting one of the front airbases he was asked he was hosted in the local bar. In the evening Jan Zumbach offered to pick up his collegue to his headquaters ... using plane. As he was screwed he missed directions and landed ... at the wrong side of the frontline. Germans didn't miss the opportunity to publish news about capturing of AWC Jan Zumbach.
After the war he tried to settle down but didn't manage. He was involved with smuggling watches, cigarettes and gold. He was also engaged in few conflicts in Africa. Those days Jan Zumbach was known as Mr Brown always appearing as pilot.
Most of the Jan Zumbach victories were achieved with the planes slower, less agile than opponent. Designing his ace profile in the Blood Red Skies game I've decided to give him as a first ace skill Lighting Reaction which reflects taking over initiative even against superior aircrafts. Zumbach was talented leader. as a squadron leader and wing commander. That's why I decided to give him as a second ace skill: Tactical Wizard to reflect his high leading abilities. He was efficient fighter pilot so I decided to add 1FP for him.
