The S.I was designed as a primary trainer with a cantilever parasol wing with two side-by side seats for instructor and pupil in a wide cockpit.
It first flew in early 1919 at Schwerin.
Although the prototype performed well, the unusual cantilever parasol wing was not liked and only three production aircraft were built.
Two production aircraft were powered by 60 kW (80 hp) Le Rhône engines and were exported to the USSR and one other aircraft was built for the United States Army Air Service for evaluation at McCook Field.
The USAAS aircraft was powered by a 67 kW (90 hp) Curtiss OX-5 engine and was designated the TW-4 (Trainer Water-cooled).
