The broad hull was retained as well as the push-pull tandem nacelles, but the open framework tail boom was replaced by a steel and Duralumin fuselage that sat on the centreline of the high mounted wing and the substantial tubular trusses supporting the wing were replaced by conventional wire bracing.

[1] The short and broad hull accommodating the flight crew supported the engine nacelles and the wing centre section on a frame-work of struts, in similar fashion to the later version of the Rs.II.

At approximately the mid-wing chord position the fuselage had a cockpit with provision for two machine guns and also housed a sound-proof wireless cabin in the nose.

With only minor modifications, the Rs.III was ready for its delivery flight by the end of January 1918, but the route was covered with fog.

After the Armistice the Rs.III was not destroyed immediately but continued flying with the German Navy Air Service on mine clearing duties until the Allied Control Commission finally ordered its scrapping in July 1921.