The C.VIII was a development of the C.VII with the former's BMW IV engine replaced by the simpler Benz Bz.IV.

It was an aerodynamically clean biplane with a minimum amount of biplane box struts and a cut-out in the upper wing to improve visibility from the cockpit.

Like the Halberstadt CL.II, the Aviatik C.VIII had a plywood-covered fuselage tapering down to a narrow tail.

[1] The Aviatik C.VIII was judged obsolete in 1917 given the deployment of an observer in front of the pilot.

Data from ,[2] Aviatik aircraft of WWI : a centennial perspective on great war airplanes[3]General characteristics Performance Armament