Lufthansa’s Iconic Ju 52 to Go on Display in Frankfurt in 2026
The iconic Junkers Ju 52, affectionately known as “Aunt Ju”, has departed Paderborn‑Lippstadt this week, heading to the new Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Center in Frankfurt. Owned by the Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin Stiftung (DLBS), the historic aircraft will go on display from 2026, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Lufthansa’s founding.
At a farewell event in Paderborn, Lufthansa acknowledged the long-standing assistance of the Quax Association and the local airport in restoring both the Ju 52 and another DLBS aircraft, the Lockheed Super Star. The association will remain responsible for two additional DLBS planes: a Dornier Do 27 and a Messerschmitt Bf 108.
Wolfgang von Richthofen, project manager for the new center, said the Ju 52 “preserves Lufthansa’s and aviation’s history,” emphasizing that the aircraft will serve as “an essential exhibit” accessible to “customers, employees, aviation enthusiasts and the general public.”
DLBS CEO Werner Knorr described the relocation as “not a final farewell but the start of a new chapter for the Ju 52, one that honours its history and significance for aviation.”
According to the organization, the Ju 52 joined Lufthansa’s fleet in 1932 and quickly accounted for about 50% of it, valued for its reliability and efficiency. Originally a single-engine design, it later evolved into a trimotor, noted for its sturdy build and ease of maintenance.
Construction began in 2024 near the Lufthansa Aviation Center at Frankfurt Airport. The new facility will feature both the Ju 52 (registration D‑AQUI) and the Lockheed Super Star (D‑ALAN) in permanent display, visible through a large transparent façade. It will also include an open gallery showcasing corporate artefacts being displayed publicly for the first time, along with a training-conference hotel and a coffee-lounge dining area.
South American Past
The Junkers Ju 52 with serial number 5489, known as D-AQUI, was manufactured in 1936 and initially served Lufthansa, which named it “Fritz Simon.” After just three months, it was transferred to Norway, where it operated with DNL as “Falken” on coastal routes until 1940. During the German occupation, it returned to Lufthansa service, flying Arctic routes under the name “Kurt Wintgens” until 1945. After the war, it was reinstated by DNL and renamed “Askeladden.” In 1948, it joined SAS and continued operating in the Arctic region.
In 1957, the aircraft began a new chapter in South America. Acquired by entrepreneur Christof Drexel, it was shipped to Ecuador to operate with Transportes Aéreos Orientales (TAO) under the registration HC-ABS and the name “Amazonas.” There, it flew passenger and cargo routes from Quito throughout the Amazon region. However, increasing difficulty in sourcing spare parts led to its retirement in 1962. Though brief, this South American period saw the Ju 52 used intensively in challenging environments, accumulating nearly 8,000 flight hours.
The aircraft was later rescued in the U.S. as “Iron Annie” and in 1984 repatriated by Lufthansa, which restored it and used it for sightseeing flights until 2018. It is now on display.
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