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 (23)
starship64
That's not a view I would have wanted to have if I'd been flying a bomber! Fantastic shot.
62guy
The plane always makes me think of a shark with wings.
junge1
@62guy: I have to agree with you, it looks sort of shark-like to me too!
nikolais
still looks quite imposing and menacing.
UteBigSmile
Pretty capture!
jayfar
The frontier of the jet age and a super shot Sig.
blinkings
Sensational and you even got a shot of the pilot!
ontar1
Love the POv!
Cyve
Fabulous jet and marvelous capture !!!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
Faemike55
WOW! Very cool POV Great capture Sig!
virginiese
nice plane ! i love these kind of museum (Deutsches Museum in München is fantastic !)
moochagoo
An amazing old war plane.
vis151
Awesome!
drifterlee
really nice shot!!!!!!!
West_coaster07
Excellent work
flavia49
awesome!
pixelmeister
Cool shot!
UVDan
What a great shot!
debbielove
If one of these was this close to a Bomber, I'd would bail, quick! 30mm Cannon were not to play with, one hit would take a wing off! Impressive view, way ahead of its time! Good shot Rob
Richardphotos
what is the fifth hole for? superb shot from your side of the camera. if the plane was to fire we would not be seeing your capture
junge1
@Richardphotos: I have no idea Richard - maybe an airspeed indicator?
danapommet
An outstanding centered photo Sig and still impressive after 70 years! A WOW historical photo!