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)
virginiese Online Now!
I'm sure you had a great time there : you like technology and mechanic so much :-) Do you know the function of every buttons and cadrans? Great portrait and picture !
Buffalo1
Bet you would love to take her up for a spin or some touch and go action.
junge1
@Buffalo1: You bet!
LivingPixels
A super shot indeed!!
prutzworks
nice to see you
Cyve
Fantastic capture to you... Nice to see you !!!
durleybeachbum
Great to see you!
Faemike55
very good capture
Cal83street
Nice shot. Great photo
bobrgallegos
Looking good Sig!!!
rachris480907
Great shot, Sig. It's nice to finally put a face to the name.
Love your pictures of these amazing planes!
ontar1
Cool, great capture!
contedesfees
Lucky you! I was aboard that wonderful aircraft at an airshow, but the cockpit was off limits to civilians. Nice photo!
auntietk
You look good in that cockpit, my friend! Very natural, and quite at ease.
junge1
Thank you Tara!
starship64
Great shot. You look right at home in that seat.
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
T.Rex
The left seat - is that the "left behind" seat? While the pilot in the right seat has abandoned plane, leaving you with landing! Nice you have you in the photo. Plenty of toys to play with! Keep up the good work! :-)
jocko500
bet you dream of of piloting this plane . good seeing you again here.
junge1
@jocko500! You bet Jocko!
sharky_
Aloha Sig...Nice shot of you... Take Care... Aloha
weesel
Ah yes, the lure of "being there" one more time!