On June 12th, 2004 the Zeppelin NT S/N 2 (prior called Bodensee) was handed over to its new owner Nippon Airship Corporation (NAC). The airship "Yokoso! Japan" will be flying the historic route to Japan crossing all over Russia.
On the morning of June 13th the airship lifted off for the first part of the transfer flight passing through many major cities of Europe before it will finally start the crossing of Russia by the mid of July.
You can read more details about the Nippon Airship Corporation and the transfer flight:
http://www.nac-airship.com/
http://www.hotelbravo.ch
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| Before the handover the flag was covered by small balloons | Detail of the artwork "Yokoso! Japan - Visit Japan" | The company orchestra of ZF Friedrichshafen | The orchestra giving their performance |
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| "Yokoso! Japan" means "Welcome to Japan!" | Maskot of the Expo 2005 in Aichi/Japan | Zeppelin with new artwork | Gondola with new camera system |
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| The Expo mascots in detail | Gondola entrance with japanese Instructions | Advertisement for the campaign "Deutschland in Japan" (Germany in Japan) | The airship is waiting for the handover ceremony |
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| NYK Logistics & Megacarrier logo | New registration on the tailfin | NAC logo | |
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| CEO of the Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH Dr. Bernd Sträter addresses the audience | The registration is still covered | The Bill of Sale is handed over to Hiroyuki Watanabe | |
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| Hiroyuki Watanabe, CEO of Nippon Airship Corporation | The tail fin with flag and registration is now uncovered | More detail of the tail fin with flag and registration | |
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| Discussion whether the wind allows to take the Zeppelin out of the hangar | In the meantime the third Zeppelin comes in for a passenger exchange during the press flights | ||
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| Impressive take-off for another press flight | |||
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| Preparations to get the airship out of the hangar | Now the procedure can begin | First time the airship with its new design leaves the hangar | Process nearly complete |
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| The safety car at the tail is now uncoupled | Dr. Bernd Sträter and Hiroyuki Watanabe watch the airship being moved to the anchor point | Run-ups are now beginning | |
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| All controls and engines are tested during the run-ups | "Off-mast" - the Europe tour is about to begin at 08:26 | Lift off | |
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| Leaving for Freiburg | Last greeting of the Zeppelin D-LZZF (S/N 3) | ||
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| Ground crew is ready for departure | The mast truck is the most important part of the ground support crew | The service truck completes the ground crew | |
