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Delivery
of First Airship to Japan
At a traditional Shinto ceremony on 28 July
1984, Skyship 500-05 was handed over to new owner, Nikko Trading Company of Japan.
This was the company's first outright sale.
The four principals in attendance represented the purchaser, the operator, the airship
base owners and Airship Industries. They were respectively Mr. Hirata - president of
Nikko Trading (the procurement division of Japan Air Lines) Mr. Tanaka - president of
Japan Airship Services, Mr. Ogawa - president of Honda Aviation and Mr. Spyrou - marketing
executive for Airship Industries.
At the subsequent press conference Mr. Tanaka reiterated his desire to be
operating two Skyship 600's before
the end of 1986.
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The traditional ceremony was performed before an alter temporarily erected alongside the
airship. All four principals, in turn, placed a small branch on the alter, clapped
twice and bowed. A toast of warm Sake rice wine was made and Mr.
Spyrou, who was
given a large gold key by Mr. Ohba of Nissho Iwai (Airship Industries' Japanese agents),
presented this key to Mr. Tanaka. Upon completion of the ceremony, the airship took
off for a lap of honour round the airfield.
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