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 (18)
Faemike55
Fantastic and wonderful capture I bet the sound was like no other
bebopdlx
How very cool.
Greywolf44
This is almost symbolic in it's overture. The last of the War Birds flying their last mission and fading into history. Very cool shot, as Duncan said.
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
jayfar
What a super sight Sig and what a pity we can't hear them.
junge1
What made it even more authentic was that they took off in twos and threes on grass, and also landed on grass!
bmac62
I can hear them...in my very active imagination:) Welcome home.
sandra46
EXCELLENT WORK!
sharky_
Nice shot. Aloha
blinkings
I would have loved to have been there.
debbielove
Once more sorry about the English weather lol 16 was a small number I'm afraid, one year I saw over 30! But, the take offs are always something to see and hear! (There is a tarmac runway over there, thus the B-52 would not be able to land there - its in the American Museum).. But most use the grass as you say.. Did you check the Land Warfare hanger while you were there? Thats great! Neat shot Sig. Rob
farmerC
Shining shot.
ontar1
That is fantastic, would have love to have been there, thank you for sharing, outstanding capture!
Minda
Excellent capture sig,,great to see your amazing work ,
flavia49
amazing capture!!
starship64
Great shot!
dragonmuse
Must have been amazing to watch.
danapommet
That must have been a sight to see and a sound to remember! A full capture!