Forward was a large fuselage gondola with two seats, the observer sitting at the fore and the pilot to the rear.

The unarmed prototype first flew in May or June 1915, named KD.15 and powered by a 150 kW (200 hp) Rapp engine.

[2] Production examples were given the official designation C.I and the observer was provided with a single machine gun for defence.

[3] Initially considered "good for nothing" by the Bavarian airmen who first flew them, the aircraft gained a positive reputation during their short careers.

[5] They were favourably viewed for their stability and reliability yet were nimble with good handling characteristics both on the ground and in the air.