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..
Comments (33)
ekatz
great shot
Iceshark39
Fantastic shot! Always love the nose art on these ones!
renecyberdoc
flying togers,reminds me while i was working for cargolux-airlines on luxembourg airport. some of the old pilots came to visit the airport at a given time 1974-75. how was the "founder " called cheneau?=??i look up wiki. great shot brother of course i was always fascinated by aircrafts..
Osper
Neat!
junge1
@renecyberdoc. The commanding General was Claire Lee Chennault.
lyron
Great shot!!!
jeroni
Splendid composition and colors my friend
Buffalo1
Looks like an "E" model, too. Not many of this type around. Great pic, Sig!
erlandpil
Good shot erland
bmac62
Ah, the good old days when the Army still owned the aircraft:-) Only kidding all my Air Force brethren out there. Great shot Sig. You did well to capture this with the old hangar in the background...it is almost the same vintage as the airplane I suspect.
flaviok
Outra fantástica captura, excelente, aplausos (5)
timtripp
fabulous shot of this rare warbird!
debbielove
Another great image! You really are treating me (and the other 'wings' fans! Great image of an under-rated fighter. Thanks mate! Love it. And Bill's right! The hanger does look the right era! Rob.
fredster66
Amazing Sig!
kgb224
Excellent capture my friend.
sandra46
Another great plane! great shot!!!!
flavia49
Extraordinary shot! I read Pappy Boyington's book when I was sixteen and since then I'm a fan of the P 40!
virginiese Online Now!
I love the drawing on the plane :-) Great shot Sig !
pixelmeister
Neice shot!
MrsLubner
I think it would be thrilling to ride in one of these...not only does it look exciting on the outside, but the ride would be a total rush! Stellar shot!
emmecielle
Excellent photo! :)
duncanoooo
This could be 1942 somewhere in the U.K.... Great capture.
Minda
amazing photo sig...
Richardphotos
if I knew how to fly which I do not, it would be hard for me to sit in such tight quarters for an extended flight.quality capture Sig
DennisReed
One of my Favorite planes!
ledwolorz
Fantastic shot.
dragonmuse
My fave warplane :) They are so cool :)
ysvry
great foto.
amanda_a42
WOW, what an awesome find! :-)
MagikUnicorn
NEAT SHOT SIG!