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 (32)
crunch01
Fantastic Capture of a great plane!!!!
jayfar
A great shot and a must zoom.
bebert
excellent shot
Faemike55
Cool capture
Hendesse
Fantastic details, an excellent shot!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
nefertiabet
Toller Flieger!!! Das wäre was für meinen Vater gewesen!!!
MagikUnicorn
NEATO
flavia49
stupendous shot
drifterlee
Excellent shot!
0rest4wicked
Super sharp shot!
jocko500
wonderful
Isabelle711
Excellent POV and capture my friend. :))) Did you go up for a ride? I love watching others do such, but I just couldn't make myself go in one of these. LOL!!!!!! Thank you for sharing. :))))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :))))
junge1
Most of the Stearman planes were privately owned and they didn't give any rides, only the museum owned one gave rides. No, I didn't go for a ride, just took pictures!
renecyberdoc
very fine capture.
bmac62
Fantastic at the zoom. I almost tricked myself into believing there were two machineguns in each side pod...until I realized I was looking at a reflection. Fine composition and detail.
auntietk
I know this plane very well! Okay ... not THIS plane, but one very much like it that's here at Paine Field. Of course I took a million pictures of tiny parts of it, but doing that gives a familiarity with the details that sticks with me. Nice shot! I love the shiny finish.
whaleman
Nice bird, nice shot!
Maxidyne
Shame you couldn't go for a ride but you got a great picture here!
dakotabluemoon
This is a fantastic close up love it.
debbielove
What can I say! A really beautiful shot! The metal......well.. A Fave Sig! Great shot, well done! I've read and heard of this aircraft in magazines over hear.. Thanks.. Rob
mariogiannecchini
Very beautiful capture !
lyron
Nice capture!!
KarmaSong
An impressive combat plane and excellent capture of it, Sig!
sandra46
very beautiful
Richardphotos
did you go for a ride?if no, why not?? very sharp capture
Briney
Always love raw metal aircraft- especially Mitchells!
UteBigSmile
Eine super Biene, Maya wäre neidisch geworden!
farmerC
Fantastic shot.
bkhook
Awesome, would hate to of been the gunner.