Both R.I prototypes used four 260hp Mercedes D.IVa engines, carried inside the fuselage, powering two chain-driven propellers.
The Linke-Hoffmann R.I was half covered with transparent Cellon in an attempt at partial invisibility. It achieved the opposite effect, partly because the Cellon discoloured rapidly, but mainly because it reflected the sun so strongly.
The two built were R.I serial R.8/15 and the improved R.I serial R.8/16. The first was burnt out in an accident in May 1917and the second was destroyed when the pilot misjudged his height during a normal landing.
Further experimentation with unorthodox propulsion configurations would lead to the R.II.
All Aero 