The C.II was a conventional biplane design with staggered wings, and seated the pilot and observer in tandem in an open cockpit.

[1][2][3] Initial production was undertaken in three batches of 24 aircraft, one each by Aviatik, Lohner, and WKF, with the first machine delivered to the Army in September 1916.

On 10 February the following year, the wings of this aircraft collapsed in flight and its crew was killed in the ensuing crash, leading to production and further flying of the type to be suspended.

[1][2][3] Relatively few Knoller C.II aircraft were issued to front-line units, with almost unanimous criticism of the strength, build quality and flying characteristics.

Although all the contracted aircraft were built, many were stored un-assembled, due to the advent of other types with superior performance and flying qualities.