[2] Linke-Hofmann designed the fuselage of the R.I to completely fill the interplane gap of the widely separated biplane wings.

[2] Construction of the R.I was largely of wood covered by transparent Cellon (Cellulose acetate)[Note 1] in the first prototype, R.I number 8/15, and lozenge camouflage fabric in the second aircraft, 40/16.

The top deck housed the pilots and wireless station, the middle the engine compartment and the lower the bombardiers, fuel tanks and payload.

The aircraft was difficult to land because of the pilot's difficulty to judge altitude due to the high position of the flight cabin.

The anticipated aerodynamic benefits of the tall fuselage filling the gap between the wings were not found on the full-size aircraft.