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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 (25)
annie5
Very interesting picture Sig!
bobrgallegos
Awesome photo of beautiful plane!!! So sad about the crash that happened there this year!!!!
farmerC
Shining Photo.
drifterlee
AWesome shot and plane!
virginiese
nice sharp capture ! Great colors ! Bravo Sig !
kbrog
Excellent capture of this sharp looking machine! :) That was a nasty crash.
MagikUnicorn
love it
blinkings
A thoroughly beautiful aeroplane and a sad loss. Nice post.
Faemike55
Great capture - it is sad about the crash
flavia49
great shot
neiwil
The crash was a real tragedy...this though is a stunner and that has to be the pilot polishing the prop!
jocko500
is this the plane that crashed? wow cool shot of this place
npauling
A super capture and they were flying at a very high speed at the time of the crash.
Richardphotos
awesome capture. I love the ground shaking as they speed over
renecyberdoc
super capture and most authentic course of what happened.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
debbielove
No, this isn't the aircraft that tragically crashed.. That was 'The Galloping Ghost'.. This is a stunning and extremely interesting picture! Love these behind the scenes snaps! :-) Great picture Sig, more?? Rob
Dreamingbee
interesting shot Sig!!
psyoshida
Wow, what a great shot! Look at how spiffy those blades are, how they shine. Excellent show. Sad about the crash.
adrie
Superb photoshot.
KaToFel
Seen by me too... very good picture.
emmecielle
Great capture! :)
moochagoo
I love those old planes !
bebert
beautiful plane
danapommet
Nice shot of this P-51 and a sad way for Jimmy to end his life. Dana