Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
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Comments (34)
jeroni
Excellent shot, fantastic details and beautiful light, my friend
SapUS59
excellent capture of this fantastic old bird my friend !!
Iceshark39
Fantastic shot! Another spectacular plane and what a historical piece. Thanks for sharing.
cameraobscura2
Greetings Siegfried, I love seeing old birds from WWII but also the very first biplanes from WWI. Thank you for sharing. egmont
jocko500
cool to see history here. a wonderful photo of it and a very good write up
watchman2005
Great shot with the props turning!!! However regarding the only flying Lancaster I would beg to differ as the Royal Air Force maintain one in flying condition as part of the Memorial flight. It was recently used in a flypast to celebrate the exploits of 617 Squadron aka "Dambusters" during May at the Derwent reservoirs in England, the area where the crews perfected their bombing runs in rehearsal for the raid.
tennesseecowgirl
wonderful as always Sig. :)
thevolunteer
Another great shot. I sure am learning a lot about the history of aircraft etc. More than in High School.....Aloha
Richardphotos
beautiful example and capture. I wanted to ride in some WWII bombers here in Dallas but $375.00 for 30 minutes is very steep.up front they wanted $450
timtripp
great pic! great story!
NefariousDrO
I really like this photo, the Lancasters are so under-appreciated, but they did a true yeoman's job in the war. Nice to see them finally get a part of the glory they're due!
dragonmuse
Lovely shot. I thought it looked familiar.. I live not far from where it is kept.
kenwas
Awesome shot!
tetsu-pino
So cool!!! Excellent shot!!!
Meisiekind
Great info and a lovely shot of this beauty Sig!!! :)
flora-crassella
....die Flugzeugfotos von Dir zeige ich alle meinem Gatten. Der ist ein begeisterter Fliegen und wird sich über dieser Foto sicher wieder freuen! Gut getroffen!
emmecielle
Beautiful shot! :)
rockstrider
It looks very dramatic against the moody sky! Excellent capture and narative!
Emil-arts
Superb shot of a beautiful aircraft.
lucindawind
wonderful shot!!
Janiss
Gorgeous as always Sig!
debbielove
Thank you watchman2005. Well pointed out. Great shot though. As are your other Aircraft ones.
annie5
Another impressive shot Sig! Interesting to view..thanks :)
rainbows
Impressive capture, Sig. Wonderful work. Diane.
bebert
very nice shot.
lizzibell
great shot...
virginiese
Great compo and nice plane !
artaddict2
Very interesting to hear this is the only one in the world still in full working order. I live only 15-20 minute Walk from the factory which built 3000+ of these during WW2 (Avros Chadderton, near Manchester UK). At the height of the factory's manufacturing they had a workforce 6000 strong. Most of the buildings have been demolished, I'll have to wander over at weekend to see what is left, not been that way for a long time! Thanks for sharing this Sig.
e-brink
This Lancaster is based at Lincoln closed to where I live. Occasionally I see it flying around here. In fact, a few years ago it flew through this valley, below the top of the hills and if you stood on 'The Heights of Abraham' it went past below you and you were looking down on it!
kgb224
Excellent capture.