Thijs Postma - Original Painting - Supermarine Spitfire Vb versus Messerschmitt Bf 109E

The original painting by Thijs Postma of a Supermarine Spitfire Vb versus Messerschmitt Bf 109E.

The gouache shows the pilot Jan Zumbach in his Supermarine Spitfire Vb of the Royal Air Force 303 Kościuszko (Polish) Squadron. During the Battle of Britain, Zumbach achieved eight confirmed victories, mostly against Messerschmitts.

Jan Zumbach had Swiss parents, but he grew up in Poland. He concealed his Swiss nationality in order to enter Polish service. As a pilot in the Polish Air Force, he suffered a broken leg in 1939, which meant he could not be deployed during the German invasion in 1939. He traveled to France where he joined the Armee de l'Air. From France he left for England, where he became one of the first pilots of the 303 Squadron.

This original gouache comes in an aluminum frame size 61cm x 51cm with glass and a passepartout.