In the spring of 1939, the KTA (Kriegstechnische Anstalt) of the Swiss Army arranged test flights at Dübendorf with the Junkers Ju 52. Excellent results subsequently led to the procurement of three aircraft of this type. The goal was to establish a so-called "flying lecture hall" where military observers could study terrain and topography, and at the same time practice Morse code and radio operator activity. Especially the latter was a novelty in the Swiss Air Force.

In addition to their original missions, the aircraft were used in the late 1940s for both passenger and material transport.

In the early 1960s, the machines found a renewed field of activity by being assigned to the then newly formed Parachute Grenadier Company.

The aircraft with the registration A-702 came to the much-noticed camouflage pattern through its use in the 1968 film "Agents Die Alone", in which stars such as Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood played the leading roles. The aircraft had been provided with the camouflage pattern for the film, which was left as it was after the end of filming.

After many years of service with the Air Force, the three Ju 52s were decommissioned in 1981.

With donations amounting to 600,000, private initiators succeeded in completely restoring the three army aircraft between 1982 and 1985. This was done under the leadership of the then newly founded sponsoring organization Ju-Air, based at the Air Force Center in Dübendorf.

At the end of the 1990s, a fourth aircraft (Spanish license construction) joined the Ju-Air fleet.

Since then, pilots and old-timer fans in Switzerland and all over Europe have been enjoying the "Tante Ju" when it flies in, sometimes even in formation, at airshows and private events.

The former military aircraft A-703 is the oldest aircraft at Ju-Air. Its civilian maiden flight dates from 26.08.1982 and bears the registration HB-HOP.

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