 The prototype was built of wood, although production examples would have a metal structure.The design was praised in its day for the cleanness of its aerodynamics, lightness of construction, and economy of operation

The first M 18 to enter service with NOBA was provided by Messerschmitt in exchange for a 49% share of the new company, and on 26 July it began commercial flights.NOBA's early successes enabled the company to place orders for additional examples of an improved model, the M 18b.