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 (14)
kgb224
Wonderful capture my friend. God bless.
starship64
What a fun vehicle! I'd definitely go for a ride in that.
blinkings
Also very ducky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ontar1
That is cool, great capture!
durleybeachbum
Looks like fun!
bobrgallegos
Great capture of this very cool amphibious vehicle!!
junge1
We had a very informative and entertaining tour guide/drive. We learned a lot about the local geothermal activity and were given duck calls and had a blast, even days later when we were in a different part of the country.b
LivingPixels
Great find beautifully captured!!
T.Rex
And are also used for life saving at some beaches. I'd love to have one, but they are rather large to drive around in town with! Nice photo and fun paint job on it! Keep up the good work! :-)
Quack! Quack!
Faemike55
cool vehicle and narrative
farmerC
Shining duck.
Buffalo1
These vehicles are being used for a similar purpose all over the world. Fine capture. The real military designation is DUKW. D standing for 1942, U for utility (amphibious), K for all-wheel drive, and W for 2 powered rear axles. This amazing vehicle was originally rejected by the military until a U.S. Coast Guard boat ran aground in heavy seas off Massachusetts. Rescuing the crew proved impossible until an experimental DUKW showed up and saved the coasties. The military was impressed and the rest is history.
junge1
Thanks Rog for the information!
virginiese
Stunning vehicle