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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 (22)
Faemike55
Very cool aircraft Great capture Sig!
barryjeffer
this is badass!!!
MagikUnicorn
COOL SHOT
tigertim
Nice to see her flying again!!!, and nice to see that they have kept her in her final RNZAF scheme!. I was briefly involved in the Kahu upgrade programme of the RNZAF A-4's at the Woodbourne base...trying to persuade the engineering team to upgrade the composite sections on the airframe to something more modern than early 60's heavy glassfibre!
bazza
Very cool shot Sig, yeah our NZ government (socialist party) in their wisdom got rid of most of our armed forces.
auntietk
Looks like you had a terrific day! :)
UVDan
I love those A-4's. That is what McCain was flying when he started that fire by wet starting his plane on the Forrestal back in the Vietnam War. Funny how history has given him a pass on that.
starship64
Beautiful shot.
jayfar
This is a great shot.
ontar1
Cool plane, outstanding capture!
illkirch
Interesting shot
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
nefertiabet
Fantastic Image!!!
drifterlee
Very cool plane!!!!
Richardphotos
really a great looking jet and photo
jocko500
cool shot
blinkings
Yep I remember the old Skyhawks.
SunriseGirl
You are a great airplane photographer. :) Thanks for sharing the info as well.
flavia49
fabulous image
farmerC
Shining shot.
debbielove
Heard of this company, they actually use Drakens I believe.. Similar Company here uses Hunters,l says they are better than a modern aircraft! lol Says it all huh? Well shot! Rob
danapommet
A very compact aircraft and I noticed the Kiwi on the fuselage!