[1] The Linke-Hofmann R.I had disappointing performance and handling, as well as structural weakness with both prototypes crashing.

[1] The quartet of Mercedes powerplants were arranged in pairs in the central fuselage and drove the propeller through clutches, shafts and gearboxes.

[Note 1][1] The airframe was constructed largely of wood, with plywood covering the forward fuselage and a steel-tube v-strut chassis main undercarriage with two wheels and a tail-skid at the aft end of the fuselage.

[1] Flight testing of R 55/17 was carried out after the Armistice in 1919, demonstrating acceptable performance and handling, being able to fly happily with only two engines driving the enormous propeller.

[1] There were plans to make it a 12-passenger airliner after the war, but the restrictions of the Versailles Treaty ended further development.